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2) 100 Percent of Fish in U.S. Streams Found Contaminated with Mercury

3) Source: Naturalnews.com March 2, 2010

5) Miller Chapter: 18

6) Regoin: National- USA

7)In a study done by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), all of the fish tested from 291 freshwater streams across the US were contaminated with mercury. 66% of these fish had mercury levels higher than the EPA's concern level. Due to biomagnification, the mercury builds up as the food chain goes along. This means that concentrations are high in the fish that people eat the most. The ingested mercury causes severe damgage to the nervous system of fetuses, children, and even adults. The number one cause of mercury consumption is fish and shellfish but most predominantly, the toxin originates from the burning of coal for electricity. The highest levels of methyl mercury were found in the southeast of the US.

8) I was very surprised to find that 100% of the fish tested were contaminated with mercury. It makes me think twice before I carelessly pick out a piece of fish from the store.

9) Methyl Mercury: the more toxic, organic form of mercury found in the environment.