Document Ne4NGR4701m3apk5JMn792xbw

. News release: Revised fish consumption advice issued for bluegill sunfish in PooI 2 of the... Page 1 of 2 Misznesota Department News Release March 28, 2006 of Health Revised fish the Mississippi PFOS measured officials say consumption River in fish tissue advice issued for bluegill sunfish in Pool 2 of poses health concern if eaten too often, state health The Minnesota Department of Health is revising the Fish Consumption Advisory to include guidelines on eating fish from Pool 2 of the Mississippi River that may contain PFOS, a perfluorochemical (PFC). PFOS has been measured in the edible tissues of bluegill sunfish and smallmouth bass at levels of health concern for people who eat these fish too often. Pool 2 refers to the section of the Mississippi River between the Hastings Darn and the Ford Dam in St. Paul, including some backwater lakes and connecting channels. MDH recommends that people who eat bluegill sunfish from Pool 2 of the Mississippi River limit their consumption to one meal a week. Previously the consumption recommendation for bluegill sunfish was "unlimited." The Department of Natural Resources has Special Regulations requiring that smallmouth bass be immediately released after being caught from Pool 2. As this regulation should prevent people from eating smallmouth bass, MDH is only revising the bluegill sunfish advice. Although channel catfish fillets and white bass also had low levels of PFCs, following the existing fish consumption advice based on mercury and/or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) will also protect people from exposures to PFCs. MDH developed the revised advice based on scientific information about the toxicity of PFOS. Laboratory research indicates that PFOS causes harmful changes in the livers of some animals. Like mercury, PFOS binds to proteins throughout the fish rather than concentrating in fat. Special cleaning and cooking precautions used to reduce contaminants like PCBs that concentrate in fat are not effective with PFOS. At this time, there is no information about levels other than Pool 2. Over the next several months areas is expected. These data were gathered as the 3M Cottage Grove facility. of PFOS in fish from more sampling data part of an investigation areas from of of the Mississippi Pool 2 and other PFC releases from The toxicity of PFCs is the subject of active research. MDH continually reviews ongoing research on PFOS and other perfluorochemicals to ensure that Minnesota's health guidelines for contaminants in fish and water remain protective of people's health. As new studies and science become available, the guidelines may be revised to reflect additional information. `With the fishing season coming up, this is a good time for all of us to remember that fish are good to eat," says Pat McCann, "but we should make wise choices about which fish we eat and http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/fIshadv032806.html 16 3/29/2006 News release: Revised fish consumption advice issued for bluegill sunfish in Pool 2 of the... Page 2 of 2 . F how often." People are advised to check out the statewide Safe Eating Guidelines or site-specific advice for the Mississippi River. Health experts, including MDH, recommend eating one to two meals of fish per week. Fish are a good low-fat source of protein and contain many vitamins and minerals. Eating fish may help protect adults against cardiovascular disease. Pregnant women and women who may become pregnant should also eat fish because eating fish promotes eye and brain development in fetuses. More inform_a_ti-o._n_ on the Minnesota Fish Consumption site. Updated site-specific advice for the 2006 fishing walleye opener in May. Advisory may be found season will be available on the MDH Web online by the state PFCs are a group of manmade chemicals that have been used for decades to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. See Perfluorochemicals and Health for more information. -MDH- For more information, Doug Schultz MDH Communications (651) 20 l-4993 Pat McCann Enwironmental Health (651) 201-4915 con tact: I Return to top 1 MD-l Home 1 News Releases 1 MAIN CATEGORIES: Health Data & Statistics I Diseases & Conditions I Terrorism & Natural Disasters 1 Facilities & .Prpfession.s I Hea!th.Care&Cpver~.g.~ I .!%n_nesota.Is9ub!lc.XealthSySter?? I Peop!...8?..E.nvi.ronment I 9e!& .~.~~nO_~.lCS&~~~~!~~~O UpdatedTuesday, 28-Mar-2006 11:43:11 CST 17 3/29/2006