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Advice For Women and Children

Being wise about the fish you eat today helps protect your baby of tomorrow.   

If you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, nursing, or have children, you and your children are more sensitive to contaminants that can be present in fish. 

In the womb and in the first six years after birth, children undergo extraordinary cell growth, from brain neurons to immune cells, so there are more opportunities for toxic compounds to disrupt the cells. 

Animal tests show that fetuses and newborns are the most susceptible to harm from many chemicals.  Women in their childbearing years should realize that it may take years to lower levels of PCBs in your body and many months to significantly reduce your body burden of mercury.  See DOH advice about eating fish with mercury in it.