On Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Rogers Free Library, David Taylor, PhD, Professor of Marine Biology at Roger Williams University, will discuss the levels of mercury in local fisheries and the risk they pose to human consumers. His study fish include striped bass, bluefish, black sea bass, tautog, summer flounder (fluke) and scup.

          "Mercury is widely recognized as one of the most widespread , toxic environmental contaminants that adversely affect human health," Professor Taylor said. It has been linked to neurological and cardiovascular disorders, immune deficiencies, and reproductive deficits. Eating contaminated fish and shellfish is the most important mechanism by which we are exposed to mercury.

          His findings are from mercury measured in coastal fish from Southern New England, and mercury exposure estimated for anglers and family members who consumed these fish.

          Many anglers and their families experienced excessively high (51.5 percent) mercury exposure rates, he said. He will discuss the need for further research and the consideration of dietary habits of at-risk human populations.
          Professor Taylor earned his BA at Bucknell University (PA), a MS in Marine Science at N. Carolina State University, and a Doctorate in Oceanography at URI. He has been teaching at RWU since 2005.

  The Roswell S. Bosworth, Jr Lecture Series is presented by the Men's Club, a local organization that pays tribute to its founding member, former editor and publisher of the East Bay Newspapers, with lectures of general interest to the R.I. audience.