Mercury warnings affect 28 waterways
By Tony Bartelme
State health officials are warning people not to eat a single bite of certain kinds of fish in 28 South Carolina waterways because of mercury and other kinds of contamination, a new roster shows.
Ten Lowcountry rivers and creeks are on this list, including the Edisto, Black and Ashley rivers. The warnings are similar to those issued in past years.
More info
The Mercury Connection, a Special Report from The Post and Courier
DHEC's fish advisory web site
In the Edisto, people should avoid eating any bowfin, catfish, largemouth bass and chain pickerel, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
In the Ashley, DHEC warns people should not eat any bowfin. Largemouth bass should be off-limits on the Black River.
Many of these fish are bottom-feeders and tend to absorb more mercury and other contaminants than other species. Pregnant women are particularly at risk when they eat fish with high concentrations of mercury.
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can cause birth defects, heart damage and other health problems. Major sources of mercury pollution include coal-fired power plants, cement kilns and incinerators.
DHEC officials measure mercury contamination in thousands of fish a year across the state to compile their fish consumption advisories.
"This information will help our citizens determine whether to keep and eat the fish they catch in South Carolina waters or release them back into the water," said David Wilson, chief of DHEC's Bureau of Water.
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Comments
theronce (anonymous) says...
We've had mercury warnings in the Edisto for over 30 years now. 30 years when nothing has been done...not one thing...to our discredit. That said, since we are not going to fix the problem, is it time to panic, yet. No, let's just talk, talk, talk...and warn us again to panic in another few years when there is no life left in the waters. That is the reason not to panic...soon there will be nothing edible left, so we won't have to worry about ingesting too much. Let's just talk, talk, talk some more. It's nearer to over now than it was 30 years ago.
June 24, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
desspec (anonymous) says...
No mudfish? Rats!
June 24, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Whopper (anonymous) says...
This is not a mudfish issue or some BS treehugging argument. DHEC is suppossed to do more than just warn against eating what should be one of the safest and free food sources available. What starts in the rivers transcends to the oceans (ex. king mackeral, tuna, grouper, snapper). I'm a conservative in all aspects of life and this "don't eat the fish" issue has always been disheartening to me. We deserve better. Our leaders have no guts, and the majority of people are either too stupid to see the problem or too weak to take a stand. There is no gray area. What is the point of runoff control, recycling, fish management etc. when state leaders allow industries to destroy one of the healthiest food supplies available?
June 24, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Silly Rabbits its all about money!
Follow the trail and we will find someone has been supporting the polluters instead of watching out for SC.
Same ole same ole in the state that is first in everything bad and last in everything good!
June 24, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
And don't forget about the poop in the water too...disgusting. Can you imagine the prosperity that would follow if we had cleanest, most ecologically diverse waters in the country...when are we going to stop talking about it.
June 24, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Come on! What are we ever going to do? You mean you expect us to vote these bums out of office?
That would mean we would actually have to educate ourselves on the candidates, instead of voting a straight party ticket.
That would mean we would actually have to ask important questions about political contributions.
What would we do if we learned the truth?
sarcasm
June 24, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TLG87 (anonymous) says...
I wonder if that will net me some more overtime ... I test fish tissue samples at work for mercury contamination. Some of it gets to be pretty bad.
June 24, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
TLG - with this states history with polluting you should be one busy person!
June 24, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
The primary source of mercury contamination - coal fired generator plants. And DHEC approves another one for SCE&G.
June 24, 2009 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
DHEC is in the pocket of SCE&G!
Our state does not care for its citizens....it cares about its pockets!
June 24, 2009 at 12:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BreezinIAm (anonymous) says...
TLG87, tell us more. Start a blog? Details appreciated even if you think they might be boring or too scientific. Species, sources, testing methodology, etc. (?) Dates correlated with seasons, rainfall, and especially (strongly suspected) sources of mercury would be too much to ask for. However, you're on the frontlines. A Day in the Life of Fish Tissue Sampling? Any thoughts would be helpful.
June 24, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Posted by TLG87 on June 24, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if that will net me some more overtime ... I test fish tissue samples at work for mercury contamination. Some of it gets to be pretty bad.
---------------------------------------------------
The crime is that DHEC doesn't test people to see how bad we are being poisoned. If they did they would have to do something about it and that would make their corporate masters very angry. DHEC should investigated for their failure to protect the HEALTH and ENVIRONMENT. Do they think it is part of their name for chuckles?
June 24, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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