Who is most vulnerable to mercury?
Unborn babies (developing fetus) are more sensitive to the effects of many chemicals, including mercury. Premature babies are also more vulnerable because they tend to be very small and their brain is not as developed as that of a full-term baby. Children may be at higher risk of mercury exposure than are adults because they eat more per pound of body weight and because they may be inherently more sensitive than adults, since their nervous systems are still developing. Thus, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are advising women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. For more information consult the Joint Federal Advisory for Mercury in Fish at: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fishadvice/advice.
Unborn babies (developing fetus) are more sensitive to the effects of many chemicals, including mercury. Premature babies are also more vulnerable because they tend to be very small and their brain is not as developed as that of a full-term baby. Children may be at higher risk of mercury exposure than are adults because they eat more per pound of body weight and because they may be inherently more sensitive than adults, since their nervous systems are still developing. Thus, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are advising women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
