Got Mercury?

You may have already heard that, according to a UNC Asheville study, "One in five N.C. women of child-bearing age who were tested carry potentially unsafe levels of mercury in their bodies." The women tested had mercury levels that were above the EPA's threshold of safety for pregnant women, though none of the women were at serious risk.

Do you know how much mercury you and your family members are consuming?  You can check out the amount of mercury that may be in your diet with the Mercury Calculator. Based on FDA estimates of average levels of mercury in different types of fish, the calculator estimates levels of mercury you may be exposed to. All you have is enter your weight, the type of seafood, and the amount of seafood you eat during a week.

Do you know where the mercury is coming from in North Carolina and in surrounding states?  The largest sources of mercury in North Carolina are coal-fired power plants. The Natural Resources Defense Council has compiled EPA data concerning state fish advisories and data related to mercury sources nationwide. They've created an interactive map that allows you to see the sources of mercury across the US and in North Carolina. Find out if there are any mercury polluters near you with the NRDC Mercury Contamination Map.