Letter to the Editor of Newsday - June 2002

     A June 6th article concerning the discovery of high levels of mercury found at Ground Zero related how a "handful of Port Authority police officers were removed from Trade Center duty after blood tests showed elevated mercury levels." The article quoted Dr. Jacqueline Moline of Mount Sinai School of Medicine stating that she was skeptical that the elevated levels were related to Ground Zero and added that "it was more likely that the officers were exposed elsewhere, perhaps from eating shellfish contaminated with methylmercury."
     Dr. Moline, if properly quoted, is wrong to broadly implicate shellfish with methylmercury contamination and create consumer concern about eating shellfish. No scientific studies have shown that shellfish in the market place are likely to be a source of significant amounts of methylmercury. Her speculation is off base, has hurt our industry and her quote should not have been printed without a review of existing data. A correction by your newspaper would be appropriate.

Roger C. Tollefsen, President New York Seafood Council.