Texas health officials warn about fish consumption

(3/27/07 - AUSTIN, TX) -- State health officials issued a warning Tuesday asking people to limit their consumption of three species of fish from two East Texas lakes.

The advisory by the Texas Department of State Health Services is for freshwater drum and largemouth bass from Clear Lake and Hills Lake and bowfin from Clear Lake.

Adults and children 12 and over should eat no more than two 8-ounce servings per month of the fish. Children under 12 shouldn't eat more than two 4-ounce servings per month. Pregnant women, women who could become pregnant and breast-feeding mothers are advised against eating the fish, the department said.

Health officials issued the warning after lab tests detected elevated levels of mercury in the three species. The testing was done after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department alerted health officials to the possibility of elevated mercury levels, said Doug McBride, a State Health Services spokesman.

Regularly ingesting methyl mercury, the compound in the fish, can harm the human brain and nervous system. Young children are especially at risk. Expecting mothers risk harm to their fetus' brain and nervous system if they eat foods with elevated levels of mercury.

There is no risk of mercury poisoning from fishing, skiing or swimming in the lakes.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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