Mercury Study with Harvard School of Public Health

In October 2004, PennFuture collaborated with Dr. Jack Spengler and his associates from the Harvard School of Public Health and The Heinz Endowments to conduct a hair sampling study with those attending the Society of Environmental Journalists' annual conference in Pittsburgh.  Participants had a small amount of hair clipped from their head tested for the presence of mercury; they also filled out a questionaire on their eating habits and other lifestyle issues.

The study found that those who said they ate fish more frequently had higher levels of mercury in their bodies.  It also showed that increased age was a predictor of higher mercury levels. 

For a copy of Dr. Spengler's presentation to the SEJ conference, click here.