From: mdorval@pharmavite.net
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 3:21 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Methylmercury Contamination of Fish, FDA Docket No. OOP-1411/CP
1



Food and Drug Administration, Dockets Management Branch
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20857

Dear Food and Drug Administration, Dockets Management Branch,


Help protect America's kids from birth defects caused
by contaminated fish. Each year more than 60,000 children
are born at risk for neurological problems due to exposure
to low-level methylmercury from seafood eaten by their
mothers, according to the National Academy of Sciences.
That is totally unacceptable. 

I have given birth to two children. During my pregnancies
I was not aware of this, even though I am a Registered
Dietitian. 
I did consume Swordfish occasioinally. If I had known
of the potential danger, I would not have done so.
In addition, as a lactating mother, I only recently
became aware of this and hope that I have not in any
way harmed my 6 month old little girl! 

In addition, as a Supervisor of Consumer Affairs, for
a nationally known dietary supplement company, I can
strongly say that consumers deserve to be warned of
this potential danger, by utilizing proper labeling
of fish and any other mercury containing foods. 

Consumers know that fish can be important in a healthy
diet. But that is only true if the fish doesn't contain
chemical hazards. You need to act now to tighten FDA's
allowable exposure level so it is consistent with the
standard that the EPA and National Academy of Sciences
recommend. Then you need to increase the agency's monitoring
and remove seafood from the market that violates this
new, tougher standard. I support the petition by the
Center for Science in the Public Interest to take these
steps. Approve the petition and give fish consumers
a break from this poison, please! 

The FDA also should expand its advisory to pregnant
women, women who may become pregnant, and nursing mothers
to avoid eating all types of methylmercury-contaminated
fish, including tuna steaks. The FDA can publicize
the risk best by requiring clear warning labels on
packages and in stores. FDA's weak advice to date is
just not enough. 




Sincerely,


Melissa Dorval
P.O. Box 9606
Mission Hills, California 91346