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Broadway Actor's Mercury Poisoning Prevalent Throughout US, New Study Shows

Posted on: Thursday, 18 December 2008, 16:38 CST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Recent publicity of mercury poisoning in Broadway Actor Jeremy Piven from his regular consumption of sushi highlights the prevalence and magnitude of exposure risk associated with eating certain seafood, say advocates. In a report released earlier this week by Mercury Policy Project, reported case studies document a number of similar mercury poisonings experienced by people throughout the US.

"Unfortunately, Piven's case is not that unusual," said Michael Bender, director of the Mercury Policy Project. "Our report shares stories of people who each ate enough tuna or other store-bought fish to suffer mercury's effects, according to their physicians. From New Jersey to Wisconsin to California, these stories show that seafood contamination is a very real problem that should not be ignored."

Yet late last week it was learned that FDA is currently contemplating removing mercury consumption warnings for all seafood -- including swordfish, shark and tuna -- stating benefits from eating seafood far outweigh the risks of mercury poisoning.

In 2004, the FDA joined EPA in releasing advice to restrict the species and amounts of fish eaten by women of childbearing age and children due to exposure risks to mercury. Last Friday, in a draft report submitted to the Bush White House, the FDA indicated plans to not only rescind that advice, but recommend that sensitive populations eat more mercury-contaminated fish.

"We've known for years that mercury is toxic to the brain and other organs in varying amounts depending on the individual's status. For FDA to suddenly change the equation to say that benefits outweigh risks is like once-again declaring the earth is flat after discovering it was round," concluded Dr. Jane Hightower. "Simply stated, FDA's proposed recommendation to eat more fish is likely based on flawed science."

Symptoms of mercury poisoning can include the following: impairment of the peripheral vision; disturbances in sensations ("pins and needles" feelings, numbness) usually in the hands feet and sometimes around the mouth; lack of coordination of movements, such as writing; impairment of speech, hearing, walking; muscle weakness; skin rashes; mood swings; memory loss; and mental disturbance.

Exposure and toxic effects in adults and children are well-documented. Dr. Hightower's new book, Diagnosis: Mercury: Money, Politics and Poison, catalogues her patients' mercury poisoning case histories.

"Patients in my private medical practice, as well as at other doctor's offices around the country, have been diagnosed with mercury toxicity from eating too much fish. Ignoring the presence of a known neurotoxin in one's diet is simply asking for trouble," said Dr. Jane Hightower.

More information:

See Mercury Policy Project's new report, "Over the Limit," released on patient histories related to mercury poisoning, at: www.mercurypolicy.org

See: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/18/jeremy-piven-quits-broadw_n_151987.html

See Dr. Jane Hightower's book, Diagnosis: Mercury: Money, Politics and Poison at: www.Diagnosismercury.org

SOURCE Mercury Policy Project

Source: PR Newswire

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