Special Report: Mercury Rising

As a grad student, Stephanie of Manchester needs all her energy to study. But two years ago, she started having trouble concentrating and staying awake.

Stephanie, Mercury victim
"There would be days I couldn't even get out of bed and I'd just sleep and my body would ache."

A friend suggested she get tested for mercury toxicity and Stephanie was shocked to learn her levels were through the roof.

Stephanie, Mercury victim
"I mean the line just goes right off the chart."

Mercury is mainly released into the environment by coal-burning power plants. It gets into water and contaminates fish. High levels can cause neurological damage - especially in children and unborn babies.

Dr. Kevin Browngoehl, Pediatrician
"Over 600,000 infants were born each year in the us <edit> with levels of mercury which could potentially lead to brain damage."

And experts say, you too could be walking around with dangerous levels of mercury and not even know it.

Suzanne Condon, Center of Environmental Health
"About 8 percent of the U.S. population of women of child-bearing age probably have blood mercury levels that would put their children in jeopardy."

So we put three women to the mercury test.

Eileen, a healthcare professional from Boston.

Eileen
"I work in an industry where I'm exposed to small quantities of mercury regularly."

Stephanie of Charlestown, who's expecting a baby in July.

Stephanie
"It wasn't until after I was pregnant that I realized that mercury could be a very serious problem. "

And Mary, a 7News producer who eats a lot of fish.

Mary 
"I usually get salmon and tuna sushi and once in a while I will eat swordfish."

We asked each woman to clip off a section of hair... and sent the samples away to an independent lab.

The state health department says mercury pollution is a serious problem in Massachusetts

Suzanne Condon, Center of Environmental Health
"Massachusetts has considerable amount of mercury contamination in many our rivers, lakes and streams."

They suggest you limit the kinds of fish you eat.

Suzanne Condon, Center of Environmental Health
"King mackerel, swordfish, shark, tile fish and tuna steak."

So how did our women do? Keep in mind - a recommended mercury concentration is one or less - anything more could be a risk factor.

Eileen's level came to 0.6 - which is low and Stephanie is even lower at 0.26 - good news for her unborn baby.

Stephanie
"I'm very happy that the numbers are that low."

But our producer Mary came in at 3.67. That means if she became pregnant, her child could possibly suffer brain damage.

Mary 
"The risks are just incredible and I had absolutely no idea."

Neither did Stephanie, until it was too late - and today she has advice for others.

Stephanie, Mercury victim
"Cut the fish and if you think you have problems or symptoms, get tested."

Experts say people should still eat fish as part of a healthy diet, just choose types that are lower in mercury.

For more information:

For additional resources on mercury toxicity, you can go to the Massachusetts Dept of Public Health's website at: http://www.mass.gov/dph/topics/mercury.htm. They also offer a list of highly contaminated fish and which are safer choices. For example, canned white tuna has been found to have almost twice the amount of mercury as canned light tuna.

Greenpeace is conducting a National Hair Sampling Project for Mercury Exposure. If you'd like to participate and learn what your own mercury levels are, you can go to their website and order a hair sampling kit for $25. https://usa.greenpeace.org/mercury