Document 97m7pBDnRR0ndKnBq7yygG5e

M? In Smafui Oveir PCIB The Department of Natural . of the federal assessment. Resources on Feb. 14 confirmed In investigating the matter, the that levels of the chemical DNR gained information which polychlorinated^ biphenyls (PCR) indicates that the FDA statement nave not mcffciiVtVU ir DtTttr may have originated from a report Michigan chubs, coho, salmon, and made on Jan. 30 by Donald lake trout during recent months. Hcnlton, the federal agency's arlier last month, the federal regional director in Chicago. Food and Drug Administration On that date, L'oalton said "the reported that it was considering an most complete survey of PC3 Interstate marketing ban on the levels in Lake Michigan which I fish because It believed PCB levels have seen is the one reported by in the three species to be the Great Lakes Environmental "dangerously" higher than it Contaminants Survey (GLECS).'' tolerance limit of 5 parts per The GLECS study is being million (ppml. conducted jointly by the Michigan DNR, the Slate Department of At the time of the FDA Agriculture, the FDA's district atatement, DNR Director Howard oliice in Detroit, and the V.S. Fish A. Tanner expressed surprise and and Wildlife Service laboratory in seriously questioned the accuracy Ann Arbor. Information from the survey, upon which Heallon apparently based his assessment, has been available for nearly a year. "There is nothing in this study which justifies the recent FDA statement," stresses Tanner In reviewing the matter with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service laboratory in Ann Arbor Feb. u, the DNR confirmed that studies there show' no significant change In PCR levels in Lake Michigan chubs from 1972 through 1974. The Michigan Department of Agriculture tested coho salmon last fall from Lake Michigan and cleared some of the fish for human consumption in this state. L&rgt quantities of coho from the lake were shipped last fall with FDA knowledge for processing and sale through an Oregon cannery. Preliminary studies by the Michigan Department of Public Health to date have failed to reveal any correlation between health symptoms and PCD levels among people regularly eating Lake Michigan fish. That Department's PCB studies, funded by the FDA. are scheduled for completion later this year. Tanner notes: "We know there are certain Lake Michigan fish species, particularly larger specimens, which still exceed the FDA's temporary tolerance level of 5 ppm. we have been concerned about the en- ' vironmental and human health implications of PCB's since 1971. "We would agree with Director Heatton's statement that `we must prevent or drastically reduce discharges of PCB's into the lakes.' We do need to jointly find a solution to this problem; however, statements like the one issued by the FDA this week only confuse the public end create undue hardships on our commercial and recreational fishing industries''^ HONS 07U34