Reply #3: Muddled

[FarCenter]

Metallic mercury, as in thermometers, barometer, etc, is not particularly hazardous without very long exposure, especially to the vapors in a poorly ventilated space.

Mercury compounds in food are much more hazardous. On the other hand, it is probably true that fetuses and young children's nervous system development would benefit from added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in fish more that they would be harmed by trace amounts of mercury compounds.

The trace amounts of mercury vary from species to species depending on how high up on the food chain it is.

The amounts of fatty acids in fish also vary widely depending on the species.

There are other sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from plants that may be safer -- but watch out for pesticides and herbicides.

As for Canadian drugs, as Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota said (yes I know he's a Republican), "Show me the dead Canadians".