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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Women's Mercury Levels Tied to Region, Income

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(Newser) – American women are afflicted by high Mercury levels depending on where they live and how much they earn, a new study says. Northeasterners are worst off, with a 20% chance of high mercury, 10 points higher than the national rate. Midwesterners eat less seafood and had lower levels overall, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Women with bigger salaries had higher levels, likely because they can afford pricey fish that is more contaminated. Yet experts hailed the findings as a sign that consumer campaigns have steered more women away from high-risk seafood. "Women are a lot smarter than they have assumed," the study's main author said. "They're eating fish, but they're choosing more wisely."

Women in the Northeast have the highest levels of mercury in their bloodstream, a recent study found.
Women in the Northeast have the highest levels of mercury in their bloodstream, a recent study found.   (Getty Images)
High-grade, expensive tuna is among the fish with the highest mercury levels.
High-grade, expensive tuna is among the fish with the highest mercury levels.   (KRT Photos)
Women are eating as much seafood as in previous years, a study found, but it tends to be less high in mercury.
Women are eating as much seafood as in previous years, a study found, but it tends to be less high in mercury.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
While fish such as salmon is low in fat and high in protein, experts warn that some species should be avoided because of high levels of mercury.
While fish such as salmon is low in fat and high in protein, experts warn that some species should be avoided because of high levels of mercury.   (KRT Photos)
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