FOR MORE
INFORMATION
This is part of a series about how to
enjoy  fish safely.  You can also read
"Should I Eat the Fish I Catch?: A
guide to healthy eating of the fish
you catch" ( available in several
languages ) to learn more about
selecting fish from clean areas,
choosing smaller fish, cleaning, and
preparation. Call 1-800-490-9198 to
order.

For more information about reduc-
ing your health risks from eating
fish that contain chemical pollutants,
contact your health or environmental
protection department. You can find
the telephone number in the blue
section of your local telephone book.

You may also contact

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
MS- 4305
1200 Pennsylvania NW
Washington DC  20460

On the World Wide Web see

  www.epa.gov/ost/fish

for information on fish advisories
and links to all advisory programs
and contacts
       This brochure may be reproduced
     without EPA permission at no charge.
         United States
         Environmental Protection
EPA823-F-01-012
April 2001
         Office of Science and Technology (4305)
&EBA SHOULD I EAT THE
        FISH I CATCH?

         A guide to  healthy
         eating for women
         and children
                                                                                   .      Developed in collaboration with the Agency
                                                                                  A\TSDR for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry,
                                                                                          £/_£ public Heahh Service

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INTRODUCTION
FRESHWATER FISH
CAUGHT BY FAMILY
AND FRIENDS
FISH PURCHASED IN
STORES AND
RESTAURANTS
Fish can be an important part of a
healthy diet.  But, some fish have
harmful amounts of mercury. Mer-
cury consumed by a pregnant or
nursing woman, or a young child,
can harm the developing brain and
nervous system.

You can get the benefits of fish and
avoid the risks of mercury by fol-
lowing fish advisories.  Contact your
Health Department for advice about
the fish caught and sold in your
area.  If there is no special advice for
your area, follow the federal advice
given here.

In 2001, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration issued
national advisories concerning mer-
cury in fish.
Contact your local Health Depart-
ment for specific advisories for your
area. If there are none, follow the
federal advisories, below.

The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) advises pregnant
women, women who may become
pregnant, nursing mothers, and
young children to:

/ limit their consumption of fresh-
  water fish caught by family and
  friends to one meal per week.

    - for adults, one meal is 6
     ounces offish (cooked weight)

    - for children, one meal is 2
     ounces

/ for ocean fish caught by family
  and friends, use the advice for
  fish purchased in stores and
  restaurants.

    see the next panel
Contact your local Health Depart-
ment for specific advisories for your
area. If there are none, follow the
federal advisories, below.

The U.S. Food and Drug Adminis-
tration (FDA) advises pregnant
women, women who may become
pregnant, nursing mothers, and
young children to:

/ not eat shark, swordfish, king
  mackerel, and tilefish

Women who are or may become
pregnant:

/ can safely eat an average of 12
  ounces per week (cooked
  weight) of other types  of fish

      - choose a variety from shell
      fish,  canned  fish, smaller
      ocean fish, and farm-raised
      fish

      - fish purchased in  stores and
      restaurants usually have less
      mercury than freshwater fish
      caught by family and
      friends, so you can safely eat
      more.

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