Results of recent mercury fish tissue sampling indicate levels of mercury in the Prince Edward Island environment remain low.
Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment said Prince Edward Island began mercury fish tissue sampling a few years ago, after an advisory was issued in New Brunswick placing restrictions on human consumption of fish.
"At the time, we had no data, nor did we test for mercury in fish because it was not seen as a problem in PEI," the Minister said. "Today, the fish sampling is part of a larger international effort to monitor mercury and reduce its impacts on the environment."
Minister Gillan said the most recent mercury fish tissue sampling was conducted in the summer of 2001 at six locations across the province: Dunk River, Fortune River, St. Peters River, Boughton River, O'Keefes Lake, and St. Charles Pond. Average mercury levels ranged from 0.05 parts per million (ppm) to 0.16 ppm, he said.
"Those levels are well below Health Canada's guideline for total mercury content in fish which is 0.5 ppm. That is the level at which an advisory would be issued placing restrictions on human consumption of fish," the Minister explained.
"While such advisories are common in many jurisdictions, I am pleased to say it has never been necessary to issue an advisory in Prince Edward Island for mercury content in fish."
Minister Gillan said results of the fish tissue sampling conducted this past summer are consistent with testing in previous years. Mercury fish tissue sampling will be carried out again in the summer of 2002.
The main source of mercury in Prince Edward Island is emissions transported up the eastern seaboard from the United States. Sources of mercury within the province include emissions from large boilers burning heavy oil and incineration of domestic and commercial waste. Mercury is used in everything from thermometers, thermostats, and electrical switches, to old paints and dyes, computers, batteries, medical equipment and flourescent light bulbs.
When released to the environment, mercury is converted to methyl mercury - a persistent, toxic contaminant that builds up in the tissue of fish. In turn, high concentrations of methyl mercury in fish pose serious health risks to people and wildlife that consume them.
Minister Gillan noted the mercury fish tissue sampling is conducted as part of the Mercury Action Plan adopted by the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers. Also, as part of that action plan, the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment established a mercury monitoring station at Southampton last year to monitor mercury levels in the air.
"Mercury is one of the most serious environmental contaminants. It's important that we carefully monitor mercury levels and take action to minimize releases of mercury to our environment," said Minister Gillan
"I encourage Islanders to help in that regard by purchasing items that are mercury-free when possible such as electronic thermostats and digital thermometers rather than thermostats and thermometers containing mercury," the Minister added.