GLIN==> Mercury found in every fish tested, report says

Mercury found in every fish tested, report says
Thursday,  August 20, 2009 3:10 AM

WASHINGTON -- No fish can escape mercury pollution. That's the take-home message from a federal study of mercury contamination released yesterday.
Scientists tested more than a thousand fish from nearly 300 U.S. streams and found the toxic substance in every one.
But while all fish had traces of contamination, only about a quarter had mercury levels exceeding what the Environmental Protection Agency says is safe for people eating average amounts of fish.
The study by the U.S. Geological Survey is the most comprehensive look at mercury in the nation's streams. From 1998 to 2005, scientists collected and tested the fish, including bass, trout and catfish, from 291 streams nationwide.
"This science sends a clear message that our country must continue to confront pollution, restore our nation's waterways and protect the public from potential health dangers," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement.
Mercury consumed by eating fish can damage the nervous system and cause learning disabilities in developing fetuses and young children.
The main source of mercury for most of the streams tested, according to the researchers, is emissions from coal-fired power plants.
All but two states -- Alaska and Wyoming -- have issued fish-consumption advisories because of mercury contamination. Some of the streams studied already had warnings.


Kristy Meyer, M.S.
Director of Agriculture & Clean Water Programs
Ohio Environmental Council
1207 Grandview Ave., Ste. 201
Columbus, OH 43212
Direct Phone: (614) 487-5842
OEC Phone: (614) 487-7506
Kristy at theOEC.org
Twitter.com/AgWaterKristy<http://www.twitter.com/AgWaterKristy>
Facebook/OhioEnvironmentalCouncil<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Columbus-OH/The-Ohio-Environmental-Council/18540061737?ref=ts>

Join the OEC and water advocates from around the state for the 2009 Clean Water Conference, October 2-3 in Mt. Sterling. Tickets are on sale now; group rates available! Click here<http://www.theoec.org/CWC09.htm> for details.

Please think of the environment before you print this email.

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