Final answer:
Children under 8 and pregnant women should avoid fish that are high in mercury, such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish, and opt for lower mercury options like salmon, shrimp, pollock, and catfish.
Step-by-step explanation:
The types of fish that should be avoided in children due to mercury contamination are those known to have high levels of mercury due to biomagnification. These include swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish. The ecosystem dynamics can cause certain seafood to accumulate heavy metals like mercury and cadmium, and thus the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that the most vulnerable groups, particularly pregnant women and young children, should not consume these fishes to prevent potential health risks.
Instead, it is safer for these individuals to consume fish that are known to be lower in mercury, which include species such as salmon, shrimp, pollock, and catfish. Mercury is a heavy metal that can have severe effects on developing brains and is especially dangerous to young children and unborn babies. Proper disposal of mercury-containing products is also vital for keeping this harmful element out of our environment and our food supply.