Women and men alike should be concerned about these warnings because mercury levels persist in the body. Mercury is released at a very slow rate, through hair, urine, feces, and breast milk. Chronic exposure leads to degenerative effects, loss of motor skills and sensory abilities. All developmental effects are permanent and irreversible.
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What makes mercury a particularly troubling
environmental pollutant is that it is highly toxic even
in extremely small amounts. As a neurotoxin, mercury
affects development. Because children’s brains and
bodies develop continually until about age 15 they are
most susceptible to developmental disturbances. Pregnant
and breast-feeding mothers and women of child-bearing age
(between 15 and 44) are also advised to pay close
attention to the advisories. The human body stores
mercury and when a woman becomes pregnant the mercury
levels in her body become available to the unborn child.
Breast milk can also contain mercury that can be passed
on to the child. 