CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginians were warned Monday to limit their consumption of game fish caught in state waterways to avoid possible mercury contamination, the first time a general advisory has been issued for the pollutant.
The warning covers waterways from the Ohio River in the west to the Shenandoah River in the Eastern Panhandle.
The general advisory also extended consumption warnings for dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for several streams, including the Kanawha and Potomac rivers. The state also issued specific advisories for 17 rivers and lakes.
Monday's mercury advisory was based on a two-year West Virginia University study that examined fish samples from 56 sites across the state.
The advisories warn that children and pregnant or nursing women should restrict their consumption. For others, consumption limits are based on the type and size of fish. For example, largemouth bass 12 inches and larger should be eaten no more than once a month.
The advisories bring West Virginia in line with surrounding states, said Bill Toomey with the state Bureau for Public Health.
"The importance here is for individuals... to maybe look at their intake of sports fish and try to follow the general guidelines," Toomey said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists mercury as a pollutant of concern due to its persistence in the environment, its potential to accumulate in the body over long periods of time, and its toxicity to humans. Studies show mercury attacks the central nervous system and can lead to birth defects.
Emissions from coal-burning boilers and power plants are considered the leading cause of mercury contamination in rivers and streams. The EPA is under a court-approved agreement to implement a rule by March 15 that proposes to cut mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants by 70 percent by 2018.
West Virginia is the nation's second-largest coal producer and the state has more than a dozen coal-fired power plants.
"It confirms that mercury contamination appears to be widespread from atmospheric deposition," said Pat Campbell with the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Mercury was found in fish samples ranging from bottom-feeding catfish to predator fish such as largemouth bass and walleye. Campbell said the state would like to eventually expand the study to look at other popular fish such as crappie and bluegill.
The state hopes to erect signs at popular fishing areas to notify the public. The state's Division of Natural Resources also will list the advisory and the affected streams in its 2005 fishing regulations.
"I don't think the message is people should stop fishing," said Brett Preston, who manages the state's warmwater fisheries program for the DNR. "I think the message is people should be careful about what they are eating."
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