Officials Provide New Guide to Eating Fish in Missouri

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) issued the 2007 Fish Consumption Advisory, an annual report summarizing fish species that should be avoided or eaten in limited quantities due to concerns about environmental contaminants. The advisory provides consumption advice for locally caught fish, updates to the health effects of key contaminants, and guidance on fish preparation to reduce contaminants prior to consumption.

This year DHSS added consumption advisories for Channel Catfish, Carp, Buffalo, White Bass, and Smallmouth Bass within specific water bodies. DHSS added an advisory for Carp species to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers advisory.

The department each year evaluates the level of contaminants in fish to make sure they are safe to eat. Chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and persistent pesticides such as chlordane have been in fish tissue for many years, though Missouri has seen a slow decrease in their concentrations. However, levels of these and other contaminants, especially lead and mercury, occur at levels in certain fish species that could pose a health risk, so consumption advisories are required. Because DHSS uses the latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) risk-based methodology and local fish tissue information, Missourians may see changes to the advisory from year to year. The 2007 advisories are based on the most recent information available.

"Fish are a good source of high quality protein that is low in cholesterol and harmful fats"' said Todd Blanc, an environmental specialist who coordinates the report. "To ensure that Missourians are getting those healthful effects from eating fish, the State of Missouri will continue to monitor fish tissue and advise Missourians when there is a concern," Blanc added.

Blanc said that because not all waters in the Missouri are monitored, the noncommercial fish consumption advice is a baseline of protection. This advice b