Alabama Fish Consumption Advisories
Published: July 14, 2009
News release by the Alabama Department of Public Health
New consumption advisories were issued for the nine bodies of water, locations or species described here.
Uchee Creek – Russell County
Uchee Creek vicinity of Uchee Recreational Area
Largemouth bass
Contaminant – Mercury
Consumption level – Two meals per month
Cowikee Creek – Barbour County
Cowikee Creek embayment of W. F. George Reservoir; approximate area from U.S. 431 bridge
to Chattahoochee River main channel; in vicinity of Lakepoint Resort and State Park Largemouth bass
Contaminant – Mercury
Consumption level – Two meals per month
Gantt Reservoir – Covington County
Conecuh River, Gantt Reservoir, lake-wide sample Largemouth bass
Contaminant – Mercury
Consumption level – One meal per month
Point A Reservoir – Covington County
Conecuh River, Point A Reservoir, lake-wide sample Largemouth bass
Contaminant –Mercury
Consumption level – Two meals per month
Patsaliga Creek - Covington County
Patsaliga Creek embayment of Point A Reservoir Largemouth bass
Contaminant – Mercury
Consumption level - One meal per month
A “No Consumption Advisory” issued for any species is interpreted to mean that the fish sampled have been analyzed to show the presence of a contaminant in excess of advisory levels. Consumption of any fish of this type from a specific water body may place the consumer at risk for harm from the contaminant. If an advisory had been issued for largemouth bass and not for other species it would be advised that individuals should eat no largemouth bass, but consumption of the other species may be permissible without endangering health.
Listings of the posted fish consumption advisories:
The intent of a “Limited Consumption Advisory” is for women of childbearing age, pregnant women and children (less than 15 years of age) to refrain from consumption of any fish indicated under this advisory. All other individuals should limit their consumption of the particular species to one meal per month.
NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: Neil L. Sass, Ph.D. (334) 206-5973
All advisories previously issued using Food and Drug Administration guidelines remain in effect for 2009. The quality of water, based upon the levels of contaminants in fish from the waters in Alabama, generally continues improvements made in recent years.
The Alabama Department of Public Health annually updates fish consumption advisories based on data collected the preceding fall by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. ADEM collected samples of specific fish species from various bodies of water throughout the state during the fall of 2008. ADPH assessed the analytical results to determine whether any of the tested contaminants in the fish could give rise to potential human health effects.
Fish consumption advisories are issued for specific bodies of water and specific species taken from those areas. In reservoirs, advisories apply to waters as far as a boat can be taken upstream in a tributary, that is, to full pool elevations.
Beginning with the 2007 advisories, ADPH adopted a contaminant level for mercury in fish that would protect those who might consider eating more than one fish meal per week. The new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards are four times more protective than FDA levels previously used. New advisories are issued in terms of the number of meals a particular fish can safely be eaten in a given period of time, such as meals per week, meals per month or no consumption. A meal portion consists of 6 ounces of cooked fish or 8 ounces of raw fish. Other advisories have been updated to reflect the EPA consumption levels for mercury-contaminated fish.
Here is a link to the Alabama Department of Public Health’s website:
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