In 1970, the first fish consumption advisory was issued in the United States, warning the public about the risks of mercury contamination in certain fish species. This advisory marked the beginning of a new era in public health and environmental regulation, as concerns about industrial pollution in waterways grew. The advisory was based on scientific evidence of the accumulation of toxins in fish, particularly in large predatory species. It led to the establishment of monitoring programs and the development of safe consumption guidelines.

Fish consumption advisories have been referenced in ecocritical poetry and environmental literature, with writers exploring the theme of toxic contamination and its effects on human health. Poets like Adrienne Rich and Gary Snyder have addressed the issue in their works, highlighting the connection between industrial pollution and the degradation of marine ecosystems. The advisory also appears in the fiction of the period.