Florida warns of pig frog risk

Tallahassee -- Florida health and wildlife officials are warning residents of elevated mercury levels in pig frogs.

A joint advisory issued Wednesday by the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission warned that women of childbearing age and young children should limit the amount of pig frog legs they eat. The warning covers pig frog legs taken from any part of the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.

"The developing nervous system is more sensitive to the damage from mercury than the mature nervous system. By limiting the mother's exposure to mercury before and during pregnancy, we can prevent damage to the nervous system of her child," Environmental Health Director Lisa Conti said in a statement.

It is the first consumption advisory for mercury issued in Florida for a species other than fish or shellfish, the release said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.