In Japan’s village of Taiji, a silent epidemic has been discovered following mercury testing by the National Institute for Minamata Disease. The community, which has been highlighted in the Oscar-winning documentary “The Cove” for the cruel and inhumane dolphin hunts that occur in its coastal waters, has now also been identified as having some of the highest mercury levels in the nation.

With the toxic levels being linked to the area’s high consumption of dolphin meat, the Japanese government has also pointed out that bottlenose dolphins contain about 1,000 times the mercury content of smaller fish.
Although no ill effects have been detected in the 182 residents with the highest levels of mercury poisoning, World Health Organization scientist Joanna Tempowski said that evidence of mercury damage could be delayed.

It has also been noted that more sensitive testing on children, who are especially vulnerable to the nervous system disorders caused by mercury poisoning, has not yet been conducted.

We thank all scientists involved for this informative report as we join in concern for the health of the Japanese people as well as our dolphin co-inhabitants.
Let us all switch now to the humane and eco-restoring organic vegan lifestyle to benefit cherished lives and our planet.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hyiAYyO2-qaneyzCkw8qX4T2F1TAD9FJC58O0
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/japanese-mercury-safety-advocates-decry,1289651.shtml