Fish are nutritious and are an important part of a healthy diet. However, some fish may contain contaminants at levels that could lead to health problems. The State of New Mexico periodically collects fish from water bodies across the state and analyzes those fish for contaminants.
Eating fish for which there is a consumption advisory may not make you feel sick, but long term consumption of such fish could increase your risk for a variety of health problems.
In some fish found in New Mexico, three contaminants have been detected at levels that could result in health problems from long term fish consumption, such as for weeks, months, or longer. These contaminants are mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT).
People who frequently eat fish high in contaminats are at risk for body burden of contaminiants such as mercury. Pregnant women should avoid exposure to mercury, which can happen from eating fish that have a high mercury build-up.
Use New Mexico Fish Advisories to guide you in which fish you can eat and the safe eating limits.