Fishy Business

By David Bjerklie

Sales of fish-oil supplements have boomed as evidence of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids has mounted. But how safe are those supplements? The same pollutants that contaminate fish--including mercury, dioxins, DDT and PCBs--can also contaminate the fish oils made from them. The latest troubling news: a study finding that levels of a flame retardant are rising in samples of cod-liver oil.

--D.B.