ISSUE: Mercury in fish

OUR VIEW: U.S. study shows advisories not overreaction

The federal government this past week warned citizens of how bad the problem with mercury in fish has become.

The U.S. Geological Survey study of U.S. rivers found mercury in every fish tested across the country from 1998 to 2005. Believe it or not, the findings are no surprise.

Every year since 1994, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has issued warnings about consuming fish from S.C. waters. The agency offers advisories on what fish can and cannot be consumed and how much fish should be eaten. The risk is mercury poisoning.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control recently updated the advisories, which can be seen at www.scdhec.gov/fish. The site contains a state map with the latest information, a booklet and other materials that can be downloaded.

The cause of the elevated mercury levels in fish remains a mystery. Some mercury occurs naturally, but coal-burning industries, chlorine manufacturers and waste incinerators also contribute to high mercury levels in the air and water.

The fact that mercury has been found should be enough to prompt public compliance. Consumed in large enough amounts, methylmercury can cause nervous system damage, particularly in infants.

The federal study found the South with the most acute problem. Rivers in the South Carolina Lowcountry show particularly high levels of mercury in fish. The North Fork Edisto River is affected, with the study finding that largemouth bass taken from the river at Fairview Crossroads, a community near the Aiken-Lexington county line, had the nation’s second highest level of mercury contamination.

The largemouth from the North Fork, which runs through Orangeburg, are on the DHEC list of fish for which consumption is to be limited. Mudfish are not to be eaten at all. Chain pickerel, warmouth and largemouth are to be limited to a meal a month. Redbreast, redear sunfish and striped bass can be eaten once a week.

Other advisories reflect the mercury threat throughout our region:

* Little Salkehatchie River — Do not eat any mudfish or largemouth bass. One meal per month of warmouth or chain pickerel. All other fish should be eaten no more than once a week.

* Edisto River to Willtown Bluff — No eating mudfish, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, channel catfish or flathead catfish. One meal weekly of black crappie, bluegill, redbreast and redear sunfish. One meal per month of blue catfish.

* South Fork Edisto River — No eating mudfish, chain pickerel or largemouth bass. One meal per week of redear sunfish and redbreast.

* Four Hole Swamp — No eating mudfish, largemouth bass or chain pickerel. One meal weekly of bluegill, redbreast, redear sunfish and warmouth.

* Lake Marion — One meal a week of mudfish or largemouth bass. No other restrictions.

The federal study reinforces that the advisories are not a case of excessive caution. Considering the potential health impact on the down side, individuals are wise to follow the advice.

And for the country, it is as U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement about the mercury report: “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.”

You must be logged in to comment.