Methylmercury contamination, perceived health risks, and high-risk seafood consumption: A study of marine recreational fish consumers in the coastal counties of Alabama and Mississippi

Seafood consumption has drawn the attention of researchers from a variety of disciplines. One of the concerns is whether fish consumption is "healthy" or "risky." While fish is considered a component of a healthy diet, due to methylmercury contamination, the EPA and FDA issued advisories regarding the consumption of certain species of fish.; Using a sample of people living in the coastal counties of Alabama and Mississippi who consume recreationally caught fish, this research used nested logistic and multiple regression models to evaluate the effects of social structure on fish consumption and high-risk fish consumption. These effects will influence factors that also affect fish and high-risk fish consumption, including methylmercury knowledge, risk-taking behavior, and societal attitudes. A phenomenon known as the white male effect has also been found to influence risky behavior, such as consuming high-risk fish. Some of the results were consistent with previous literature. However, the white-male effect was not found.