Skip to topic navigation

Skip to main content

Skip to Content

Main Navigation

Care & Treatment
Find a Doctor
Find a Location
Patients & Visitors
Health & Wellness

Pay My Bill
Make a Donation
Volunteer
Gift Shop
Wellness Center
Virtual Visits
Job Openings
COVID-19

Site Search

Search site

Conditions & Treatments
Health Centers
Drugs, Herbs & Supplements
Nutrition & General Wellness
Your Family
News Center
Healthy Living
Tools & Multimedia

Contenido en Español

Home Home Nutrition & General Wellness Wellness Library Today's Medicine

Today's Medicine

Click 'Back to Intro' to return to the beginning of this section.

What Do You Know About Mercury in Fish?

Nearly all fish and shellfish have some mercury in them, the federal government says. Find out how much you know about mercury in fish by taking this quiz.

1. Mercury in the environment can cause health problems when it is in which form?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Mercury is an element that is usually not harmful. But in the environment, mercury changes to methylmercury. This organic form is easily absorbed by living things. It builds up in fish and animals. The more mercury in a fish or animal, the more harm it can cause.

A. Aquatic mercury B. Mercury vapor C. Methylmercury D. Mercury salt

2. Which of these ocean creatures have the highest amount of methylmercury in them?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Tuna is a large predatory fish at the top of the food chain. It has the most methylmercury. Plankton is tiny food for almost all small and some large marine animals. Smaller marine animals are food for bigger marine animals. As mercury moves up the chain, the larger fish and the longest-lived fish end up with the mercury that has been absorbed by the smaller plants and animals.

A. Plankton B. Krill C. Oysters D. Shrimp E. Tuna

3. People are more likely to get the most methylmercury by eating:

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Because tuna is at the top of the food chain, it has the most mercury.

A. Seaweed B. Clams C. King crab D. Lobster E. Tuna

4. Mercury is most harmful to:

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

The fetus is very sensitive to the harmful effects of mercury. The harm done cannot be reversed even when the fetus is no longer exposed to the mercury. Mercury is always harmful. But it causes less harm as you get older. An adult seems to be less harmed by higher amounts of mercury, compared with a fetus, child, or adolescent.

A. A fetus B. A baby C. A child 2 to 12 years old D. A teen E. An adult

5. Which agency is responsible for watching mercury levels in bodies of water?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

State and tribal health programs regularly post information about mercury in area fish. They offer guides on how much fish from certain lakes, rivers, and coastal waters a person can safely eat.

A. Federal government B. State government C. Tribal groups D. B and C E. None of the above

6. High levels of methylmercury can cause:

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Mercury harms the brain. It can cause a wide range of brain and nerve problems.

A. Severe thinking problems B. Cerebral palsy C. Behavior problems D. Low birth weight E. Slower development in children F. All of the above

7. Which fish should not be eaten by pregnant or breastfeeding people, or children?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, orange roughy, and big-eye tuna have such high levels of mercury that pregnant people, people who are breastfeeding, and young children should not have even a single serving of these types of fish. All of these fish are higher up the food chain.

A. Shark B. Swordfish C. King mackerel D. Tilefish E. Orange roughy F. All of the above

8. How much fish should a pregnant person have each week?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consume between 8 and 12 ounces per week of a variety of seafood from choices that are lower in mercury. Seafood low in mercury include anchovy, cod, herring, oyster, salmon, freshwater trout, and canned light tuna.

A. 1 to 4 ounces B. 4 to 8 ounces C. 8 to 12 ounces D. 12 to 16 ounces E. No limit on intake

Your score was:

Online Medical Reviewer: Dansinger, Michael MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Poulson, Brittany, MDA RDN CD CDE
Online Medical Reviewer: Wojcik, Stacey, MBS, BSN, RN

Date Last Reviewed: 5/1/2023

© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

MyHolzer
Find a Doctor
View Babies
View/Pay Bill
Make a Donation

Related Items

Tests and Procedures

Mercury (Blood)
Mercury (Urine)

Articles

In the Kitchen: Prevent the Spread of Infection

Herbs, Vitamins & Supplements

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Interactive Tools

Mercury in Fish Quiz

About Us

About
Classes & Events
Newsroom
Ways of Giving

Holzer Health System

1-855-4-HOLZER (1-855-446-5937)
Contact Us
Release of Information Form
View Baby Photos

Career Opportunities

Job Openings
Family Medicine Residency Program
Graduate Medical Education
Physician Opportunities

Provider Resources

Provider Portal (Softweb)
Referral Forms

Stay Connected

Employee Webmail
Get Our eNewsletter
Log into ADP IPay

Copyright 2021 Holzer Health System. All rights reserved.

Notice of Non-Discrimination & Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

العربية | 繁體中文 | Nederlands | فارسی | Français | Deutsch | Italiano | 日本語 | 한국어 | नेपाली | Deitsch | Română | Русский | Español | ภาษาไทย | Українська | اُردُو | Tiếng Việt