M.D. All four states shared available figures and conducted a joint risk assessment. People do not have to stop eating King Mackerel, however, they definitely need to limit their consumption of it . The advisory is based on the concentration of total mercury from the edible fillet of the fish. Mercury in fish flesh exists predominantly as methylmercury which is readily absorbed by the human digestive system. Consumption of excessive amounts of methylmercury over a prolonged period of time produces toxicity of the central nervous system.
Children are particularly sensitive to mercury toxicity.
Exposure during pregnancy is known to cause toxic effects in the fetus. Mercury problems in fresh and saltwater fish affect not only Florida, but much of North America, Europe and Asia. Florida state agencies, federal agencies and the electric utility industry are supporting research into the causes of the mercury problem in Florida. This research is aimed at determining the sources of mercury in the state s environment along with potential contro l strategies.