A Bermudian scientist last night moved to allay concerns over mercury levels found in foetal cords in a recent study.

Dr. Phillippe Rouja, who helped to coordinate the foetal cord study for the Atlantis Mobile Laboratory?s visit in 2003, said had misreported that 50 out of 70 cords had shown higher than expected levels of mercury.

In fact, Mr. Rouja said, only 42 cords were tested the levels of mercury posed no threat to pregnant mothers and newborns, although they were higher than the ?extremely conservative? levels recommended by US authorities and the World Health Organisation.

?The main thing is that there are no physiological effects to people in Bermuda, including pregnant mothers or newborns,? he said. ?The study had committed to informing mothers who were tested if there were any concerns and since none were raised by the study, they were not contacted.

?So we wanted to alleviate any anxieties that may have been caused.?

Dr. Rouja said the international standards were ?monitoring limits? rather than red flags or causes for alarm.

?The levels are a bit higher than the thresholds that have been set, but they would have to be about 100 times higher to be problematic. Nonetheless, we would want to lower the threshold through careful selection of fish.?

He added: ?For the general public, there is no risk at al.?

Dr. Rouja said the study had set a baseline and he predicted the levels would be lower in pregnant women in four years time.

?The other important thing to point out is that of the 24 contaminants looked at, we could not find evidence of the other 23 at all,? he said.

?So mothers should not only be reassured about the levels of mercury, but they should know that all other contaminants are much lower than they would be in other countries.?