Which hazardous substance is concentrated in larger, predatory shark species, leading to consumption advisories?
Answer
Methylmercury
Larger, predatory shark species accumulate higher concentrations of naturally occurring methylmercury in their tissues because they are higher up the oceanic food chain. This bioaccumulation results in elevated mercury levels in the meat compared to many other seafood sources. Due to this potential health risk, consumption guidance often recommends eating shark meat very rarely, especially restricting intake for vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women to potentially no more than four ounces monthly.
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