One fish. Two fish. Three fish. Poisoned fish?

Mercury should be on your mind and could be on your fish.

A fish consumption advisory has been in effect since 1996 that was issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health as a direct result of an assessment of mercury levels in fresh water waterways in Connecticut in 1995. Even though the advisory has been in effect for over 10 years, that doesn't mean this threat has disappeared.

"It is a bit frightening," said Dale Cialfi, junior, Armonk, N.Y. in response to the presence of mercury levels in fish.

Common mercury exposure stems from direct contact with a broken thermometer or from fish consumption. Mercury enters aquatic species due to air pollution or past chemical spills.

According to Roger Smith, campaign director of Clean Water Action (a campaign focused on preventing mercury exposure by promoting effective health warnings), the primary sources of mercury in Connecticut are the Bridgeport coal power plant, coal power plants upwind of Connecticut and trash incinerators in Connecticut. When products containing mercury are burned at these power plants, it is released into the air and contaminates soil and water.

"It's shocking," said Alessandro Lopes, junior, Bridgeport about the situation.

Rebecca, a SHU student whose name was changed to protect anonymity, knows firsthand the danger that may arise from fish consumption.

After consuming fish she purchased from the Main Street Stop & Shop, Rebecca said, "The following day after I ate the fish, I had extreme nausea and experienced severe vomiting."

Her story is similar to countless food poisoning cases across America and highlights that dangers from fish consumption run the gamut of food poisoning to mercury poisoning.

According to Paulette Thompson, Health and Wellness Manager for the Stop & Shop Consumer Affairs Department, the benefits and restrictions for eating seafood is only available via the Stop & Shop web site.

"Our seafood buying office purchases fish and seafood from reputable suppliers that obtain product from certified waters," said Thompson.

Rebecca thinks that fish should have some warnings about the danger of mercury.

"It would have been nice to see signs in the store warning individuals," said Rebecca. "The only label available was on my fish package and it indicated that the fish was imported from either Venezuela or Colombia."

Students like Janelly Ricardo, sophomore, Bridgeport, in agreement with Rebecca's statement.

"I would like to see changes in the way fish is labeled and packaged too," said Ricardo.

FLIK has taken a proactive approach and launched an exhibition last year at the Norwalk Aquarium that discussed the dangers of mercury poisoning.

According to Angel Rosado, Foodservice director at SHU, the fish served on campus does not come from Connecticut.

"Depending on what type of fish we are serving, it comes from Maine, California, South America or Alaska. At the moment we are very cautious about the fish we serve our faculty, staff, and student body," said Rosado. "We provide fish very low on mercury."

Gary Archambault, Epidemiologist at the Connecticut Department of Public Health, wants to inform and protect.

"I want to keep Connecticut residents' exposure to any metal at a minimum," he said.

"I feel that if you do not eat too much of it per week, you should be all right. Like once a week," said Cialfi.

Stephanie Traver, junior, Peekskill, N.Y., said she just makes sure she doesn't eat much tuna.

The students' recommendations coincide with that of the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The department suggests that individuals limit their consumption of bluefish, tuna and halibut to a bare minimum.

According to the department, individuals may consume flounder, cod or salmon one to two times a week. However, individuals in a high-risk group such as children under age six, or women who are nursing or pregnant need to follow other guidelines set forth by the department.

Even if an individual follows the guidelines set forth by the department, mercury poisoning or food poisoning can still occur from a variety of fish and sources.

Archambault recommends that any individual with symptoms associated with mercury poisoning or food poisoning should contact a medical professional immediately.

"Mercury is persistent in the environment and will remain so for decades even if all emissions stop. There are mercury advisories in effect for all Connecticut waterbodies," said Smith. "Our mercury products law should reduce incinerator mercury pollution by keeping mercury from going up the stack of an incinerator."

By mid-2008, the Connecticut Mercury law will require control of the Bridgeport City Harbor plant. The law will establish an 85 percent reduction of pollution.

Even with this progress, the threat of mercury poisoning will linger for a very long time.