Mercury Warnings
West Virginia is one of four states where grocery stores do not warn consumers of the possible dangers of mercury in fish, even though this may lead to wiser choices, a new study argues.
Oceana, an environmental group, issued a report concluding that fewer than 20 percent of the nation's grocery stores are posting in-store warnings about mercury. West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama and North Dakota all have zero in-store warnings, the report says, while Hawaii, the District of Columbia and Alaska are doing the best job of educating consumers.
Mercury is a toxic metal that can cause nerve damage in humans and is particularly dangerous to children, developing fetuses and women of childbearing age. Methylmercury, a form commonly found in fish, is the type most likely to cause health problems. Some studies suggest that coal-burning power plants are the major source of mercury emissions in the United States.
November 22, 2006 6:42 AM | Category: Chemicals, Fish