A state mercury study shows those who routinely eat fish -- and especially men who eat fish -- have more cause for concern. Four months ago, a News 3 investigation detailed how mercury in fish can be dangerous. Now the latest on who's at risk. I-Team Reporter Linda Eggert says Dane County is front and center.

MADISON, Wis. -- Lee Kernen, 64, has always taken his fishing seriously, but he never thought much about the fish he ate until he got tested for mercury and heard the results.

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"I tested at 2.11 parts per million, which is about twice the recommended level," Kernen said.

News 3 has learned some of the highest mercury levels are being found in Dane county men. A state researcher says a state study highlights the need to educate men about how eating fish with mercury may hike their risk for a heart attack.

"It's really a potential for a heart disease and heart attack, and so I think I would take it seriously," said Lynda Knobleach, a Wisconsin Division of Public Health toxicologist in Wisconsin's mercury study.

For Kernen, this is a level some European studies say puts him at a higher risk of a heart attack or heart attack death, and now results of a state mercury study say Kernen's got plenty of company.

Knobelach has been testing the hair of 2,000 state residents for methylmercury, the most toxic form of the neurotoxin found in larger predator fish. Some of those tested are now changing their fish eating habits.

"I'm eating less white tuna, which is a one of the highest things -- the canned tuna, the white albacore is one of the highest fish" said Kernen, who is also the former DNR fisheries chief. "I've stopped eating that as much as I used to. And I'm going to watch my consumption of larger fish and stick more to panfish. "

Kernen is not alone. With 80 percent of the mercury study completed now, News 3 has learned that one out of five have mercury levels over the federal health guideline.

More men than women are over the limit, News 3 reported:

Thirty percent of men compared to 14 percent of the women are over the limit -- exactly why, isn't clear. Men also dominate the study's 10 highest mercury levels. nine of the ten are men, and five are from Dane County.

In fact, the highest mercury level in the state belongs to a Madison man who eats 20 meals of fish a month -- at restaurants.

"Many of the people that we're talking to that have elevated mercury levels are not eating any sport fish at all -- they're eating commercial fish," Knobelach said.

But Knobelach warns you have to watch out for sport-caught fish too -- especially larger walleye and northern pike.

Some of the higher mercury levels are from people who say they only eat walleye a couple times a week.

Knobelach says if you have more than one fish meal a week you should check to see what kind of fish you're eating.

Learn more about mercury in fish at the Wisconsin Stewardship Network's Web site.

Fish Consumption Guides

Eating Safe Fish -- from Wis. Department of Health

Safe Fish Guidelines from DNR