A new federal study suggests that fish cannot escape mercury pollution. The study, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, tested fish from nearly 300 streams across the country for traces of mercury, and found that every sampled fish contained the substance. Although all the fish had traces of mercury, only a quarter had levels considered unsafe for human consumption. Over a thousand fish were tested from 1998 to 2005 for the study. ‘This science sends a clear message that our country must continue to confront pollution, restore our nation’s waterways, and protect the public from potential health dangers,’ said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement. Mercury can cause learning disabilities in young children, and can also damage the nervous system if consumed. According to researchers, the majority of mercury found in the streams was from coal-fired plant emissions. The mercury released from smokestacks finds its way into streams due to rainfall. Once in the waterways, the mercury is converted into methylmercury, which allows it to work its way through the food chain. The highest levels of mercury were found in fish that lived in blackwater streams along the coasts […]