Methylmercury is produced by bacteria that convert mercury pollution, from sources includinggold mines and coal-burning power plants, into an organic form. Children are particularly vulnerable to the toxin, which is why the state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment recommends stronger limitations on eating certain species of fish for children and women of childbearing age.
Overall, the study found that 37 percent of the 68 locations where fish were sampled along the coast produced at least one species with high concentrations of methylmercury.
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