News Release
Jan. 27, 2014
The Texas
Department of State Health Services has issued a fish consumption advisory for
portions of the Neches River Basin, including Sam Rayburn Reservoir and B.A.
Steinhagen Reservoir. The advisory covers six species of fish caught between
the State Highway 7 bridge west of Lufkin downstream to the U.S. Highway 96
bridge near Evadale and both reservoirs. It was issued after laboratory testing of fish samples
found elevated levels of mercury and dioxins.
DSHS recommends people limit or avoid consumption of these species as
outlined in the table below because eating contaminated fish can be a health
hazard.
Species Affected
|
Women of Childbearing
Age and Children < 12
|
Women Past Childbearing
Age and Adult Men
|
Blue catfish > 30
inches
|
DO NOT EAT
|
Two
8 oz. meals/month
|
Flathead catfish
|
DO NOT EAT
|
One
8 oz. meal/month
|
Gar (all species)
|
DO NOT EAT
|
One
8oz. meal/month
|
Largemouth bass > 16
inches
|
DO NOT EAT
|
Two
8 oz. meals/month
|
Smallmouth buffalo
|
DO NOT EAT
|
DO NOT EAT
|
Spotted bass > 16
inches
|
DO NOT EAT
|
Two
8 oz. meals/month
|
DSHS recommends
children under 12 and women who are nursing, pregnant or who may become
pregnant avoid eating the affected species because the nervous systems of
unborn and young children are particularly susceptible to the health effects of
toxins. Previous advisories for the Neches River area based on high mercury
levels had recommended children limit consumption of particular fish. Recent
testing prompted DSHS to recommend children under 12 not eat the affected fish
at all.
Elevated levels of
mercury and dioxins in fish do not pose a health risk for people swimming or
participating in other water recreation activities.
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(News Media Contact: Chris
Van Deusen, DSHS Press Officer, 512-776-7753)
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