More freshwater fish found with high toxin levels

Though many were banned decades ago, toxic chemicals are lingering in the environment, where they are still polluting the food chain, according to state studies announced today.

Scientists said they found unacceptable levels of toxins in 93 samples of freshwater fish collected from 45 sites around the state. The toxins included a witches' brew of PCBs, dioxins, chlorinated pesticides, mercury and flame retardants.

Levels of PCBs are so high in mountain whitefish in the Wenatchee River that the state Department of Health is advising people not to eat them.

Lake Washington scored second highest in the state for toxin levels found in some fish: cutthroat trout, common carp and northern pike minnow. People are already advised to restrict their consumption of fish from Lake Washington because of pollutants, but the latest study is spurring health officials to add carp to the list of Lake Washington fish to eat with caution.

The study is also expected to result in follow-up research to determine where the pollutants are coming from.

For more information about eating and preparing fish and to see the latest fish-consumption advisories: www.doh.wa.gov/fish.

To read the study about toxins found in freshwater fish: www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0703024.html.