Researchers from the University of Burgos in Spain have developed a fluorescent polymer that lights up in contact with mercury when it is present in fish. High levels of the metal were detected in samples of swordfish and tuna.
The polymer may eventually be used to shine light – literally – on mercury contaminated fish before it is eaten by the public.
Eating seafood high in mercury is hazardous to your health, especially for women and children. To check which fish are currently known to contain high doses of mercury, Turtle Island’s “Got Mercury?” calculator can help you make healthier seafood choices. Just enter your weight, the seafood type, the amount of seafood you will eat during a week, and click the “calculate” button to see the mercury content in fish.
Click the link to use the mercury calculator: https://seaturtles.org/programs/mercury/
Read more about the University of Burgos Study at: https://phys.org/news/2017-02-fluorescence-method-mercury-contamination-fish.html#jCp
