What the Toxins in Your Body Say About Your Wealth

People who can afford sushi and other sources of aquatic lean protein appear to be paying the price with a buildup of heavy metals in their bodies, found Jessica Tyrrell and colleagues from the University of Exeter. Using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Tyrrell et al. found that compared to poorer people, the rich had higher levels of mercury, arsenic, caesium and thallium, all of which tend to accumulate in fish and shellfish.

On the other end of the spectrum, people with no money tend to smoke more and have higher levels of Bisphenol-A (BPA), which is used to line cans and other food containers. The toxins, they are everywhere.

Photo: bytemarks