Fish Mercury Calculator
Compare your fish consumption to recommended mercury exposure limits. Adjust serving size, body weight, and fish mercury concentration to personalize guidance.
Typical fillet servings are 120–200 g.
Low-mercury fish: <0.1 ppm. High-mercury species: 0.5–1.0 ppm.
Mercury per serving
51 µg
Recommended waiting period
7.29 days
Safe portion (weekly)
23,333.33 g
Within safe limit?
Yes
How to Use This Calculator
Check body weight and serving size
Use your weight in kilograms and the typical portion size of the fish you eat.
Look up mercury concentration
Enter the concentration from advisories (ppm). Higher values indicate greater exposure risk.
Set consumption frequency
Specify how many meals per month you typically eat. The calculator suggests safe intervals and portion sizes.
Formula
Intake per Serving = ppm × Portion (g)
Allowable Daily Intake = Weight × 0.1 µg/kg/day
Safe Interval = Intake ÷ Allowable Daily Intake
Example: A 70 kg person eating a 170 g portion of 0.3 ppm fish consumes 51 µg mercury. With the EPA reference dose, they should wait ~7 days before eating another similar meal.
Use local advisories for species-specific ppm values.
About the Fish Mercury Calculator
Fish offers vital nutrients but can carry methylmercury. This calculator empowers consumers, parents, and health professionals to balance the benefits of seafood with safety guidelines.
When to Use This Calculator
- Pregnancy planning: Stay within safe methylmercury limits for mothers and children.
- Nutrition counseling: Tailor seafood advice to clients’ dietary habits.
- Fishing communities: Interpret local advisories and communicate safe consumption.
- Public health campaigns: Provide accessible guidance on mercury exposure.
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Science-based: Aligns with U.S. EPA reference doses.
- ✅ Personalized: Accounts for body weight and portion sizes.
- ✅ Actionable: Outputs waiting periods and safe portion size guidance.
- ✅ Flexible: Works for any fish species by updating ppm values.
Common Applications
Clinics: Support patients managing seafood intake while maximizing omega-3 benefits.
Schools: Educate students on food safety and toxicology.
Environmental groups: Highlight the importance of pollution reduction and clean waterways.
Tips for Best Results
- Consult regional advisories; mercury levels vary widely by species and location.
- Combine low-mercury species to diversify nutrient intake.
- Consider body weight changes for children or adolescents.
- Track cumulative exposure over weeks to maintain safety margins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find mercury concentrations?
Use government advisories (EPA, FDA) or local health department data. Many smartphone apps publish fish mercury levels.
Do cooking methods reduce mercury?
No. Mercury binds to muscle tissue and is not removed by cooking or freezing.
What about canned tuna?
Light tuna averages 0.1 ppm, while albacore is closer to 0.3 ppm. Enter specific values to tailor guidance.
Is mercury exposure cumulative?
Yes. The calculator assumes consistent intake. Reduce frequency or choose low-mercury species to reduce body burden.