For immediate release: April 30, 2008 (08-063)

Contacts:
Elmer Diaz, Spokane River fish consumption advisory 360-236-3357
Lenford.O'Garro, Lake Roosevelt fish consumption advisory 360-236-3376
Donn Moyer, Communications Office 360-236-4076

Fish consumption advisories updated for Lake Roosevelt and Spokane River
Advice balances health benefits of eating fish with choices that avoid contaminants

OLYMPIA ¾ State health officials are adding species and meal limits to the fish consumption advisories on Lake Roosevelt and the Spokane River. The additional recommendations are based on new fish tissue testing and evaluation. The fish advisories remain in effect and are expanding due to the additional data.

Polychlorinated biphenyls — also known as PCBs — and mercury are the main contaminants of concern. Fish is an important part of a healthy diet, but these pollutants can be harmful when people eat contaminated fish.

"We want people to eat fish because fish is good for you — just be smart and choose wisely," said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. "Fish is an excellent low-fat food and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals important for brain and heart health. In some cases, it’s wise to limit or avoid eating certain kinds of fish and choose a different species."

For Lake Roosevelt, burbot and largescale sucker have been added to the existing advisory on walleye; it’s based on increased monitoring rather than an increase in mercury levels. The current recommendation for walleye is no more than two meals per month; burbot and largescale sucker should be limited to four meals per month. This advisory is due to mercury and is specific to women who are or might become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children.

The fish consumption advisory for the Spokane River due to PCBs has been expanded and is for the general public, especially women who are or might become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children. Health officials recommend that no fish taken from the Idaho border to Upriver Dam be eaten. Largescale sucker caught between Upriver Dam and Nine Mile Dam should not be eaten; all other species on this stretch of the river should be limited to one meal per month. For Long Lake (Spokane Lake) largescale sucker and brown trout should be limited to one meal per month. Fish heads and entrails from any fish for the entire length of the Spokane River should not be eaten; fish fillets should be eaten instead of the whole fish. Removing the fat and skin from fish before cooking reduces exposure to PCBs and other contaminants that collect in the fat of fish. Filleting does not reduce mercury contamination.

In addition to these updates, the statewide mercury advisory for largemouth and smallmouth bass remains in effect, with a recommended bass limit of two meals per month.

PCBs and mercury are long-lasting chemicals that are found worldwide. They can cause behavior and learning deficits in children exposed in the womb, so meal limits of certain fish are especially important for women of child-bearing age and young children. Banned since 1977, PCBs were used as insulating fluid in electrical transformers, lubricants, and hydraulic fluids.

Mercury occurs naturally but also comes from coal-fired electric plants and improper disposal of fluorescent bulbs, thermometers, thermostats, and electrical switches.

State health officials encourage all Washingtonians to eat at least two fish meals per week as part of a heart healthy diet in accordance with American Heart Association recommendations.

Learn more about the Lake Roosevelt and the Spokane River fish advisories, other fish consumption advisories, and healthy fish choices (www.doh.wa.gov/fish/) on the state health department Web site.

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