Salmon, Neurological Contaminants Are Organohalogens, Not Mercury In This Species

This article lists Salmon as one of the top 10 healthy foods, and that wild, instead of farmed, fish should be choosen due to potenial mercury contamination. Salmon is a fatty fish, and as such, does not accumulate significant amounts of heavy metals such as mercury in the edible portions of the fish. Tuna and swordfish are known species that mercury is of major concern. 

It is the organohalogen contaminants (dioxins, PCBs, brominated flame retardants, pesticides) that are of major concern in fatty fish, and salmon (both farmed and wild) generally have higher concentrations of these contaminants than lean fish species. These organohalogens are well known to be toxic to the neurological systems of children and adults. When commenting on the potential risks frorm contaminants, real species specific contaminants should be reported. While a salmon filet may show low mercury levels, it may still be quite toxic with regards to the persistant organic pollutants that accumulate in the fat.