Mercury as a manufacturing byproduct enters bodies of water from the environment and contaminates the fish that live there.

Ingested by pregnant women or young children, mercury affects the developing brain and can cause mental retardation and a range of other serious neurological problems.

Maine’s current fish consumption advisories for women of childbearing age and children under the age of 8 allow no more than one meal per month of brook trout or landlocked salmon, and urge avoidance of all other freshwater fish.

The same people should avoid all shark, swordfish, tilefish and king mackerel, and eat no more than two meals per week of other saltwater fish.

Guidelines for the general population are less stringent. Maine’s recommendations may be found online at www.maine.gov/dhs/ehu/fish, or by contacting a health care provider.