Fish Consumption Advisory on Bull Shoals, Norfork

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From- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1190840/

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Abstract

Total mercury (Hg) was determined in milk, eggs, beef, pork, human head hair, soil and water obtained from four geographical areas of North Dakota. The sampling areas were selected on the basis of differences in prevalent agricultural practices, climate and topography. Statewide average Hg concentrations in ppb were milk, 0.8; eggs, 12; beef muscle, 5; beef liver, 10; pork muscle, 11; pork liver, 15; head hair, 1708; soil, 30; rainwater and well water, less than one. There were no significant differences observed among areas in Hg content of any substance sampled except beef muscle. Beef muscle obtained from areas 2 and 4 contained significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) higher levels of Hg than beef muscle from the other two areas. However, the magnitudes of differences were small (4 to 6 ppb). Considerable variation among individual beef and swine were noted but only six beef of 453 sampled and three swine of 156 sampled had tissue Hg exceeding 50 ppb. Appreciable variation was observed in Hg in eggs with respect to farms within an area, eggs from the same farm, and sampling times within a year. Few eggs sampled contained more than 50 ppb. Significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) higher levels of Hg were found in head hair of women as compared with men and relatively large differences among individuals were observed. Average Hg in hair was generally low irrespective of sex of donor or area of the state as compared with data given in the literature. Soil Hg levels were consistently low in all areas of the state, and no relationship between cropping practices and soil Hg was detected.

 

from sfgate.com

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Other Possible Food Sources of Mercury

While seafood appears to be of greatest concern for mercury contamination, some research has pointed to other foods that may contain the toxin. A study published in Food Chemistry in 2014 discovered unsafe levels of several toxic metals, including mercury, in a small percentage of rice and edible mushrooms from China. As a possible fix, researchers in 2018 found that adding sulfur and iron to rice paddies decreased the amount of mercury in the soil. Their results appeared in the Journal of Soil and Sediments.

Two separate studies in 2009 sounded a public alarm over mercury found in processed foods containing high fructose corn syrup. Since that time, however, no further research has confirmed the findings, nor have the EPA or FDA issued any warnings. Also, a study published in 2017 in Food Chemistry tested 291 common food products in France for mercury, including baby foods, but found only low concentrations that fell within the safety limits.