State Issues Warning About Toxic Fish
Studies made by Washington’s State Department of Ecology found alarmingly high levels of PCB’s (A toxic chemical banned in the late 70’s) and a few other toxic chemicals in close to 100 sample fish caught in various locations within the state of Washington.
The results of the tests triggered an immediate press release and update of health advisories concerning the human consumption of freshwater fish from many of Washington states waters.
The contamination is effecting mountain whitefish, northern pike, carp, perch and many other game fish from the Wenatchee River to Lake Washington to the Spokane River.
Health experts are most concerned about exposing fetuses and young children to PCBs, PBDEs and mercury — all of which have all been found in Washington fish. The chemicals are linked to learning, behavioral and immune-system problems.
Other poisonous substances found in the fish by Department of Ecology researchers were dioxins and chlorinated pesticides.
Researchers don’t know exactly how long it takes for PCBs and PBDEs to leave a person’s body. They do know that they accumulate in fat.
PCBs “can remain in a person’s body for a very long time,” McBride said.
PCBs were used for decades as cooling and insulating fluids, primarily in industrial transformers and capacitors. PBDEs are added to electronics, seat cushions and airplane parts to make them fire resistant. The new state ban prohibits the use of two kinds of PBDEs, bans all PBDEs from mattresses beginning next year, and sets the stage for a ban on all PBDEs in computers, TVs and upholstery.
PBDEs are quickly overtaking PCBs in terms of concentrations in the environment, Duff said.
Dale Norton, with the Department of Ecology’s Environmental Assessment Program, said that the chemicals contaminating the fish come from a variety of in- and out-of-state sources, including storm water, cleaned water released from sewage treatment plants and polluted mud.
Based on the new research, “the next thing is trying to figure out if there are sources that we try to control,” Dale said.
