Tests find hazardous levels of mercury in tuna sushi in New York

NEW YORK: Recent laboratory tests performed for The New York Times found so much mercury in tuna sushi that a regular diet of even two or three pieces a week at some restaurants could be a health hazard for the average adult, based on guidelines set out by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Eight of the 44 pieces of sushi The Times purchased from local restaurants and stores in October had mercury levels so high that the Food and Drug Administration could take legal action to remove the fish from the market.
Although all the samples were gathered in New York City, experts believe similar results would be observed elsewhere. "Mercury levels in bluefin are likely to be very high, regardless of location," said Tim Fitzgerald, a marine scientist for Environmental Defense, an advocacy group that works to protect the environment and improve human health. Most of the stores and restaurants in the survey said the tuna The Times had sampled was bluefin.
In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration joined with the Environmental Protection Agency to warn children and women who may become pregnant to limit their consumption of certain varieties of canned tuna because the mercury it contained might damage the developing nervous system. Fresh tuna was not included in the advisory. The tuna sushi in The Times sample contained far more mercury than is typically found in canned tuna.
Over the past several years, studies have suggested that mercury may also cause health problems for adults, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and neurological symptoms.

Dr. P. Michael Bolger, a toxicologist who is head of the chemical hazard assessment team at the Food and Drug Administration, said the agency was reviewing its seafood mercury warnings. Because it has been four years since the advisory was issued, he said, "we have had a study under way to take a fresh look at it."
Tuna samples from the restaurants Nobu Next Door, Sushi Seki, Sushi of Gari and Blue Ribbon and the food store Gourmet Garage all had mercury in excess of one part per million, the "action level" at which the FDA can take food off the market. (In recent years, the FDA has rarely, if ever, taken any tuna off the market.)
The European Union can take tuna and other predatory and long-lived fish off the market at the same mercury concentration, one part per million.
Both Drew Nieporent, a managing partner of Nobu Next Door and Andy Arons, an owner of Gourmet Garage, were shocked by the Times' findings.
"I'm startled by this," said Nieporent. "Anything that might endanger any customer of ours, we'd be inclined to take off the menu immediately and get to the bottom of it."
Arons, whose stores stock yellowfin, albacore and bluefin, depending on the available quality and price, said, "We'll look for lower-level-mercury fish. Maybe we won't sell tuna sushi for awhile, until we get to the bottom of this."
At Blue Ribbon Sushi, Eric Bromberg, an owner, said he was aware that bluefin tuna had higher mercury concentrations. For that reason, he said, the restaurant typically tells parents with small children not to let them eat "more than one or two pieces."
Scientists who performed the analysis for The New York Times said they had been "frankly surprised" at the results and had run the tests several times to be sure there was no mistake in the levels of methylmercury, a form of mercury tied to health problems.
"No one should eat a meal of tuna with mercury levels like those found in the restaurant samples, more than about once every three weeks," said Dr. Michael Gochfeld, professor of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey, who analyzed the sushi for the Times with Dr. Joanna Burger, professor of life sciences at Rutgers University.
The work was done at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, in Piscataway, New Jersey, a partnership between Rutgers and the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Gochfeld is a former chairman of the New Jersey Mercury Task Force. He also treats patients with mercury poisoning.
More than half of the restaurants and stores surveyed sold sushi with so much mercury that eating just six pieces a week would exceed the amount the Environmental Protection Agency says can be safely consumed by an adult of average weight, which the agency defines as 154 pounds, 70 kilograms. People weighing less are advised to consume even less mercury.

In general, tuna sushi from food stores was much lower in mercury. These findings reinforce results in other studies showing that more expensive tuna usually contains more mercury because it is more likely to come from a larger species that accumulates mercury from the fish it eats.
In the Times survey, 10 of the 13 restaurants said at least one of the two tuna samples purchased had been bluefin. (It is hard for anyone but experts to tell whether a piece of tuna sushi is bluefin by looking at it.) By contrast, other species, like yellowfin, bigeye and albacore, generally have much less mercury. Several of the stores in the Times sample said the tuna in their sushi was yellowfin.
"It is very likely bluefin will be included in next year's testing," said Dr. Bolger of the FDA. "A couple of months ago, FDA became aware of blue fin tuna as a species Americans are eating."
Studies have found high blood mercury levels among people eating a diet rich in seafood. According to a 2007 survey by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the average level of mercury in New Yorkers' blood is three times as high as the national average. The report found especially high levels among Asian New Yorkers, especially foreign-born Chinese, and people with higher incomes.
The report noted that Asians tended to eat more seafood and speculated that wealthier people favored certain fish, like swordfish and bluefin tuna, with higher mercury levels.
The city has warned children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding not to eat any fresh tuna or Chilean sea bass or several other fish it describes as "too high in mercury."
Kate Mahaffey, a senior research scientist in the office of science coordination and policy at EPA who studies mercury in fish, said she was not surprised by reports of high concentrations.
"We have seen exposures occurring now in the United States that have produced blood mercury a lot higher than anything we would have expected to see," she said. "And this appears to be related to consumption of larger amounts of fish that are higher in mercury than we had anticipated."
Many experts believe the government's warnings on mercury in seafood do not go far enough. "The current advice from the FDA is insufficient," said Dr. Philippe Grandjean, adjunct professor of environmental health at the Harvard School of Public Health and head of the Department of Environmental Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark. "In order to maintain reasonably low mercury exposure you have to eat fish low in the food chain, the smaller fish, and they are not saying that."
Some environmental groups have already sounded the alarm. Environmental Defense, the advocacy group, says no one should eat bluefin tuna.
Others take a less absolute position. "I like to think of tuna sushi as an occasional treat," Gochfeld said. "A steady diet is certainly problematic. There are a lot of other sushi choices."


Thanks T-Dawg

BREAKING NEWS: Military Offers Explanation For Stephenville UFO Reports

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Nearly two weeks after UFOs were reported over Stephenville, the U.S. military has offered an explanation as to the source of the mysterious lights.
Maj. Karl Lewis, a spokesman for the 301st Fighter Wing at the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, said in a news release that an "error was made regarding the reported training activity of military aircraft" and that "10 F-16s from the 457th Fighter Squadron were performing training operations in the Brownwood Military Operating Area."
Lewis had previously said there were no F-16s or other aircraft from the base in the area the night many of the sightings were reported.

Officials now report the aircraft were airborne from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. January 8 in the MOA, which is an area designated for military training, and in this case includes airspace above Erath County.
On Saturday, interviewers with the Mutual UFO Network met with about 200 people who said they saw something mysterious in the night skies over Stephenville in late December and early January. Witnesses have described the object as silent, large and with bright lights flying low and fast.
Several witnesses also reported seeing fighter jets chasing the object.
James Huse, a retired electronics technician, said what he saw on Jan. 8 was neither a helicopter nor a plane while pilot Steve Allen, of Glen Rose, said the lights he saw while sitting around a campfire were brighter than the glare from welding.
"The first time we saw it, the duration was three minutes; then it started slowing down and passed us, and the lights in the back reformed into an arc shape, and they would flash on and off with no particular pattern," he said. "Then those changed into two vertical lines. It was totally silent."

Reggie Bush on his relationship with Kim

Reggie Bush (who will soon become a former and/or retired NFL player turned- possibly-whack-ass-actor) and Kim Kardashian are now speaking about their relationship. "We've been friends for years," said Kardashian. "And the relationship just developed over time. Everything Reggie does is from the heart and that's a quality I've always loved about him." Girl, stop lying and learn how to add and subtract! Yall haven't even been together for an entire year. Do we need to remind you that it was just last January when your boyfriend at the time, Nick Cannon, dumped you over that sex tape debacle? How soon we forget. Besides, Bush has only been in the NFL league for 2 years. As a matter of fact, the two were reportedly introduced to each other last May (2007) through Kim's former BFF, Paris Hilton.Bush, who was recently seen following Kardashian around like a little puppy dog during last weekend's Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah while they got their swag on (receiving free goodies from various vendors and sponsors at the film fest), says the only drawback to his relationship with Kardashian has been his introduction to the paparazzi. After only being photographed on the football field, Bush has had to deal with a new reality of being followed by cameramen everywhere he goes when he's with Kardashian. He's still amazed when he sees pictures of himself with her at the gas station, the mall or the airport pop up on the Internet. "I hate the paparazzi," said Bush, who plans to get into acting after he retires from football. "I honestly do. She knows I don't like it, but it comes with the territory. I deal with it. It doesn't make me view her any different, it's part of her life and so you just deal with it, but I hate it. I don't like it all. When I'm not with her, they don't care about me, when I'm with her they're all over us." Wait! What NFL top draft rookie football player do you know who goes from playing (if you want to call it that) in the league for a mere two years to making plans to retire just to become an actor? Something in the milk ain't clean.Kardashian, a veteran of being the object of the paparazzi's attention, has helped Bush by telling him to be relaxed and ignore them whenever they're around. After all, let her tell it, the only thing worse than being followed by the paparazzi, is having a run in with the paparazzi. "I'm giving him a few tips here and there," she said. "We try not to take it too seriously. The paparazzi are really an invasion of privacy that you're never really used to and ready for but you learn to adapt to it and not really pay too much attention to it." Um, girl, you did a reality tv show where cameras were in your house 24/7... and now you wanna bitch and moan about an invasion of privacy? You allowed a camera crew into your personal space to film you while you got your horizontal hunch on with Brandy's little brother...and now you wanna scream invasion of privacy? You've become well-known for keeping the paparazzi's digits on your speed dial so that they're 'candidly' aware of where you're going to be...and now you whine and complain about your invasion of privacy? Well, guess what? WE DON'T BELIEVE YOU! YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE!
In the meantime, the New Orleans Saints baller, who is five years younger than Kim says he's never been happier. "We have a great relationship," he said. "We're both in the limelight so it's actually good for me and her. We both understand what goes with that and it's going to make us stronger in the long run. A lot of the outside stuff you just have to ignore and live your life and you can't allow people to dictate how you live your life. We're happy and that's all that matters."Hmmm, I wonder has he seen her sex tape. I'll bet dollars to donuts that all of his boys, team mates, coaches, brothers, childhood friends, high school buddies, play cousins and even his haters have. LOL! I crack myself up sometimes with the things I say, I swear!

From http://realgossip101.blogspot.com/

TALK CONTINUES TO SURROUND EDDIE/TRACEY FIASCO: Buzz includes prenup drama, family bickering and unhappy mothers.

*More gossip plumes are poofing up from the sudden crash of Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds' marriage – which was done "spiritually" in Bora Bora during New Year's weekend but never made legal in the United States as planned.
The National Enquirer claims their respective families were at odds, particularly the mothers of the bride and groom. According to the tabloid, Murphy's mom felt Edmonds was a gold digger, while Tracey's mom felt Eddie wasn't good enough for her daughter.
As previously reported, there are also rumors that plans for the legal wedding hit a brick wall because Edmonds refused to sign a prenup.
A source told the New York Post: "There was no way Eddie would go through with it without knowing that his fortune would be protected if they split up."
Various reports also had the families bickering with each other during the wedding weekend on the island.

Real World 21 casting for activists, “people who are passionate about the world,” have “depth”

Although years have passed since anyone cared about The Real World, and The Hills now defines the network, MTV has renewed its once-groundbreaking series for a 21st season and producers are searching for seven people, including those who are activists or have “depth.”
Casting director Damon Furberg told me that producers “are once again looking for people with career goals — this time not specifically entertainment-related,” including “‘activists’ who are passionate about political, social, or environmental causes.” He added that “these qualities are not a requirement—just something were looking out for.”
The Hollywood-set season searched for people with entertainment industry career aspirations, and that focus on finding people with actual lives is continuing because, as Furberg said, “we’re generally looking to attract some depth this season, and the easiest way to express that is by asking for people who are passionate about the world around them and have an aspiration, cause or a political issue that is important to them.”
Those interested in applying should sober up—or not!—and send in a video, attend an open casting call, or, in a series first, upload a digital video. The deadline for submitting tapes is Jan. 28.

Guess who was spotted arriving & exiting Barney’s a few minutes apart only to jump into the same SUV on Tuesday in New York City? Hint: She was spotted last week rocking one of his jackets.

It was Rihanna and Chris Brown! New speculation of their supposed relationship hit the net last week when Rihanna, 19, was spotted at the airport rocking one of Chris’ hoodies. The young singers also have similar star tattoos (see below). Oh and Chris is 18, btw.

CAST OF ‘A RAISIN IN THE SUN’ AT SUNDANCE

Producer Neil Meron, John Stamos, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Audra McDonald, Phylicia Rashad, Director Kenny Leon and Saana Lathan pose for portraits at the Sundance Film Festival on Tuesday.
A Raisin in the Sun was selected last year to be screened (out of competition) at the event and this will be the first time that a broadcast network film will be featured at the celebrated festival. Based on the classic Lorraine Hansberry play, it will air on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Network.

ANTM Returns without Twiggy!

America’s Next Top Model will return next month (Feb. 20) with a whole new set of upcoming models. New press photos were released last week. This season, Paulina Porizkova is replacing Twiggy on the judging panel.

JAMIE FOXX TO HOST ‘CHARM SCHOOL 2′

Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx will be hosting VH1’s “Charm School 2: From G’s to Gents”. The show will feature 15 of the most memorable (and rowdy) men of the past 2 seasons of VH1’s popular “I Love New York” series.
The show is similarly formatted to the first season (this time featuring men) competing in enduring tasks to eventually crown a winner for most changed guy. The men will compete for $50,000. Among the men competing this season are Tango, Buddah, Mr. Wise, Trendz, Mr. Boston, and Chance just to name a few.

Money in Ledger's Apartment Being Tested

TMZ has confirmed with NYPD sources in the Heath Ledger investigation that cops found a $20 bill rolled up "in a certain way" with a powdered substance on it. Our sources say they don't know what the nature of the powder is, but it's being tested at the police lab. CBS 2 in NYC is reporting cops found drug packets along with the $20 bill in Ledger's apartment.Our sources say the manner in which the bill was rolled made them "suspicious."

Jack on Heath: "I Warned Him"

The paparazzi broke the news of Heath Ledger's death to Jack Nicholson in London last night -- and he had an eerie reaction to the news.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid285859616/bclid294430730/bctid1387913103


The photogs told Jack that Heath overdosed, but right now the evidence is pointing away from a suicide.

Lil' Wayne Arrested -- Again!

Law enforcement officials tell us Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Carter Jr., was arrested near Yuma, Arizona last night on three felony counts: possession of dangerous drugs, possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia. Cops tell TMZ that the Drug Enforcement Agency was involved in the arrest -- which means it's a big deal! We're told Lil' Wayne's tour bus went through a US Border Patrol checkpoint when the narcotics were allegedly found, that's when the DEA was called in.Wayne is currently in the custody of the Yuma County Sheriff's Department, where he'll be held pending his arraignment at 9:00 AM PT.Wayne was arrested in Idaho last year for felony possession of drugs.Story developing ...

On Making Things Happen - Words of Wisdom - January 23, 2008

Good morning. Don't become a product of your enviornment, make your enviornment become a product of you.

God is LoveRev Run