Pregnant and lactating women are advised to exercise caution when consuming seafood like shrimp, lobsters, and fish such as tuna.
These marine foods may contain elevated levels of mercury and other heavy metals that could potentially impact the cognitive development of infants.
Professor Richmond Aryeetey, the Dean of the University of Ghana School of Public Health, revealed that a study conducted by the University indicates that a majority of Ghanaians are currently exposed to mercury, which finds its way into water bodies and subsequently accumulates in fish and seafood widely consumed by the population.
“Presently, there is no policy related to fish and mercury, but there is evidence that when small fishes consume methylmercury, they get eaten by bigger fishes, which accumulate a lot more mercury. I would advise pregnant women to opt for smaller fish,” he emphasised.
Speaking to the media, Prof. Aryeetey expressed concern over the high levels of mercury being released into the environment, soil, and river sediment without adequate containment efforts. He stressed that children exposed to mercury are at greater risk of experiencing severe nervous system effects.
The damage caused by the introduction of heavy metals into the bodies of infants during pregnancies and breastfeeding at their developmental stages is irreversible, he noted.
“Mercury is a metal, but when it’s burnt and released into the air and water, it is converted into a poisonous substance called methyl mercury, which is consumed by fish and other seafood. The small fishes cannot absorb as much as the big fishes, which later consume the smaller ones,” he explained.
Annually, around 81 tons of mercury are released into the environment, primarily through processes like amalgamation and burning of the amalgam, Prof. Aryeetey added.
He also pointed out that illegal mining activities release toxic chemicals, posing long-term health risks to miners and surrounding communities.
Mercury is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top ten chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern. Exposure to even small amounts of mercury can lead to serious health problems, particularly affecting the development of a child during pregnancy and early life stages.
Mercury exposure may have detrimental effects on various body systems, including the nervous, digestive, immune, respiratory, and renal systems. Symptoms can range from tremors and insomnia to memory loss, neuromuscular effects, headaches, and cognitive and motor dysfunction.
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