More than half of the freshwater fish in the nation have mercury levels that could be dangerous for women of child-bearing age and young children, according to a new report.

Clean the Air analyzed existing data from the Environmental Protection Agency. The group said 55 percent of fish were contaminated with levels considered unsafe for women and 76 percent were unsafe for children under 3. The report assumed twice-a-week consumption of fish.

Some tribes have been warned about high levels of mercury and other toxins in their fish. The EPA did a study for treaty tribes on the Columbia River and found 92 chemicals.

Get the Story:
Most Fish From Lakes Is Too High In Mercury (The Washington Post 8/4)
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A Study Finds Mercury Levels in Fish Exceed U.S. Standards (The New York Times 8/4)
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High mercury risk in fish raises alarm (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 8/4)

Get the Report:
Reel Danger: Power Plant Mercury Emissions and the Fish We Eat (August 2004)

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