the ecomoderate

Scientists from Harvard and the U.S. Geological Survey have recently found that mercury levels have already increased 30% from 1989. This finding means that by the time 2050 rolls around the Pacific Ocean will be twice as contaminated with mercury as it was in 1995 increasing our exposure to mercury from eating fish and other seafood.

In 2007, it was reported that 40% of people’s exposure of  the neurotin, methylmercury, in the United States comes from tuna; the most widely consumed fish.

Methylmercury alters brain development in fetuses and is linked to learning problems and reduced IQs in some children.

The study also showed how mercury from industrial sources is contaminating seafood. Asia’s burning of coal is the primary worldwide source of mercury contamination.

Read more about it here.

If your looking for a great way to detox your body and the planet, buying organic is a simple way to do so.  Organic produce is usually kept separate from conventional products making it easier to choose but there’s only one way to make sure you are getting what you pay for and that is by the PLU code (numbers on the sticker).

Use these three easy rules to determine which to buy:

1. Organic produce always starts with the number 9.
2. Conventionally Grown produce always starts with a 3 or a 4.
3. Genetically Modified produce always starts with the number 8.

You can also look for the  USDA Certified Organic seal.  If there’s “No Seal there’s No Deal”.

If you’re like me and find these stickers on your kitchen floor or counter tops you can stick them in an envelope and send them to Barry “Wildman” Snyder the ” Sticker Man Produce Artist” for his pop art creations.