Some Boston fish show high mercury levels
Boston environmental groups are working with city government officials to inform consumers about the dangers of mercury in Boston fish. The efforts follow tests that found large trace levels of mercury in tuna and swordfish purchased from Boston supermarkets, putting the city near the top of the list of American cities with high levels of the toxin in their fish.
Representative James Marzilli (D-Arlington) told the Medford Transcript that larger fish naturally absorb more of the toxin when they eat smaller fish; the danger arises when water contaminated by human dumping spikes the level of mercury in these smaller fish.
"High levels are most common in predator fish, such as swordfish who are at or at least near the top of the food chain," Marzilli said. "When these predator fish eat the smaller fish, they are absorbing the mercury that was contained in the previous fish and every other fish that they ate."
Overexposure to the element can lead to a host of health problems, including brain and motor skill deficiency, autism and loss of intelligence. The level of risk is increased for children and for pregnant women.
"I don't think people realize that this is a very real risk," Elizabeth Saunders of Clean Water Action told the Transcript. "They need to be educated and informed on about how to avoid eating fish that may have dangerous levels of this toxin, and it needs to be somewhere that they can easily read about it."
Booze coming to your local StarMarket?
Area supermarket owners and liquor store owners are divided over a ballot question suggesting that convenience and grocery stores be allowed to put wine on their shelves.
Grocery store owners have rallied behind the proposition, which would enable them to obtain wine licenses. They say that the new law would make purchasing alcohol more convenient and would break up what they call a liquor store monopoly.
Conversely, liquor store owners are fighting against the law, saying that making liquor easier to purchase removes an essential safeguard against alcohol abuse.
"The supporters say it's about convenience, but when is buying liquor supposed to be easy-access?" Brian Moore, owner of Kappy's Liquors in Wellington Circle, told the Medford Transcript. "Years ago, everyone was forced to take cigarettes off the floor and behind the counter. Now we're going to take the alcohol and put it next to the Rice Krispies."
Some liquor store owners say the new law could detract from their business once large convenience store chains begin selling alcohol nearby.
"People who come here appreciate wine, but there will certainly be fewer places like this if this [law] passes," Thomas Ryder, owner of Grapeyard Travelers Wine and Spirits Shoppe on High Street, told the Transcript. "Then not only gas stations, but places like Costco's and BJs, will be selling it too. It's just like asking how a hardware store owner feels when Home Depot comes to town."
- Compiled by Jeremy White from the Medford Transcript
