Heavy metals go untested in Gulf seafood

[G_j]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/09/heavy-metals-untested-gulf/

Exclusive: Heavy metals go untested in Gulf seafood

By Brad Jacobson
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010 -- 8:00 am

Experts urge caution for pregnant women and young children

Despite claims from President Barack Obama and federal officials that Gulf seafood is safe and poses no long-term health risks, no testing for heavy metals is occurring in fish or shellfish in areas that have been reopened to commercial and recreational fishing.

Both National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and FDA officials told Raw Story that fish and shellfish being tested for the purpose of reopening waters to commercial and recreational fishing are not being tested for heavy metals.

Whenever Raw Story raised the lack of heavy metal testing, FDA and NOAA officials routinely referenced a “Mussel Watch” program. Yet neither agency seemed to have a clear grasp on how this program actually collected useful data related to the heavy metal levels in the seafood currently being fished and sold to market.

Raw Story examined the “Mussel Watch” page on NOAA’s website and found no clear additional protocol in place for protecting the public from these contaminants in their seafood due to the BP oil spill.

This is particularly troubling to scientists and public health experts.

..more..

[Generic Other]

1. Sniff tests aren't very convincing to me!

And that seems to be largely what they are using. "Don't Ask, Don't Test" Policy seems to be in place.

[G_j]

2. do heavy metals smell?

:shrug:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. crude oil =/= heavy metal

why would I expect any changes to heavy metal testing in fish due to the spill?

Yes, I'm aware that there are small amounts of heavy metal in crude oil. There are also small amounts of heavy metal in sea water itself, and would not expect an increase in heavy metal exposure to fish that are not exposed to the spill itself.

[G_j]

5. that is all addressed in the article

fyi

[Mimosa]

4. It's inexcusable not to test n/t