EPA Study Reveals Widespread Contamination of Fish in U.S. Lakes and
Reservoirs

Release date: 11/10/2009

WASHINGTON  A new EPA study shows concentrations of toxic chemicals in
fish tissue from lakes and reservoirs in nearly all 50 U.S. states. For
the first time, EPA is able to estimate the percentage of lakes and
reservoirs nationwide that have fish containing potentially harmful
levels of chemicals such as mercury and PCBs.

These results reinforce Administrator Jacksons strong call for
revitalized protection of our nations waterways and long-overdue action
to protect the American people, said Peter S. Silva, assistant
administrator for EPAs Office of Water. EPA is aggressively tackling
the issues the report highlights. Before the results were even
finalized, the agency initiated efforts to further reduce toxic mercury
pollution and strengthen enforcement of the Clean Water Act  all part
of a renewed effort to protect the nations health and environment.

The data showed mercury concentrations in game fish exceeding EPAs
recommended levels at 49 percent of lakes and reservoirs nationwide, and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in game fish at levels of potential
concern at 17 percent of lakes and reservoirs. These findings are based
on a comprehensive national study using more data on levels of
contamination in fish tissue than any previous study.

Burning fossil fuels, primarily coal, accounts for nearly half of
mercury air emissions caused by human activity in the U.S., and those
emissions are a significant contributor to mercury in water bodies. From
1990 through 2005, emissions of mercury into the air decreased by 58
percent. EPA is committed to developing a new rule to substantially
reduce mercury emissions from power plants, and the Obama Administration
is actively supporting a new international agreement that will reduce
mercury emissions worldwide.

The study also confirms the widespread occurrence of PCBs and dioxins in
fish, illustrating the need for federal, state and local government to
continue efforts to reduce the presence of these harmful chemicals in
our lakes and reservoirs and ensure that fish advisory information is
readily available.

It is important that women of child-bearing age and children continue to
follow the advice of EPA and the Food and Drug Administration on fish
consumption as it relates to mercury. This study is also a strong
message to state and local governments to redouble their efforts in
looking for opportunities to reduce mercury discharges, as well as
developing fish advisories, especially to reach those in sensitive and
vulnerable populations.

Results from the four-year National Study of Chemical Residues in Lake
Fish Tissue show that mercury and PCBs are widely distributed in U.S.
lakes and reservoirs. Mercury and PCBs were detected in all of the fish
samples collected from the nationally representative sample of 500 lakes
and reservoirs in the study. Because these findings apply to fish caught
in lakes and reservoirs, it is particularly important for recreational
and subsistence fishers to follow their state and local fish advisories.

EPA is conducting other statistically based national aquatic surveys
that include assessment of fish contamination, such as the National
Rivers and Streams Assessment and the National Coastal Assessment.
Sampling for the National Rivers and Streams Assessment is underway, and
results from this two-year study are expected to be available in 2011.
Collection of fish samples for the National Coastal Assessment will
begin in 2010.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fishstudy

More information on local fish advisories:
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/states.htm