Seafood is good for you. That’s no surprise. But it’s not easy to find species that don’t contain mercury, PCBs, PFAS, or other contaminants, aren’t overfished, and aren’t linked to human rights abuses. In her new book The Fish Counter, NYU professor emerita Marion Nestle tackles those and other issues. (The book goes on sale on June 6, but you can pre-order it now.)
When you sit down to a healthy meal of greens, roasted root veggies, seafood, and whole grains, toxic elements probably don’t cross your mind. But cadmium, arsenic, lead, and mercury can show up in unexpected places. Here’s what to know about toxic elements and how to minimize their harm.
Some beauty products contain harmful chemicals. For example, some skin-lightening creams may contain mercury, which can damage the nervous system and kidneys. “Our study found dozens of hormone disruptors, including some that have been banned in the EU, in many hair products used by Black women,” says Robin Dodson, a scientist at the Silent Spring Institute.
CSPI's recommended seafood choices for those who are (or might become) pregnant, breast-feeding mothers, and young children, based on typical levels of mercury and healthy fats.
