Tuna Still Contaminated: Unchanged Mercury Levels Since 1971

Despite significant reductions in mercury emissions, levels of the poisonous element in tuna have remained stable since 1971, posing a threat to human health as tuna is widely consumed worldwide. The persistence of mercury in tuna is attributed to very old mercury lurking deep in the ocean, which wells up into the waters where the fish swim. Researchers suggest that massive reductions in mercury emissions are needed to see a decrease in tuna mercury levels, and even with such reductions, patience will be required before any change is observed.