EPA Study: Widespread Contamination of Fish

Fish in U.S. lakes and reservoirs have harmful levels of mercury and other toxic chemicals

Washington, DC

Contact:

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir=ltr>Raviya Ismail, Earthjustice, (202) 667-4500, ext. 221</P>

November 10, 2009

Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a study showing high concentrations of toxic chemicals in fish tissue from lakes and reservoirs in nearly all 50 states.

Earthjustice has challenged EPA to clean up air emissions from hazardous waste incinerators, cement kilns and other industrial sources. The following statement is from Earthjustice attorney James Pew:

"We've continually raised concerns about the dangers of eating mercury-contaminated fish. We applaud EPA for highlighting this dangerous phenomenon and acknowledging the fact that burning more fossil fuels leads to more chemicals in our water bodies and in fish.

"We're pleased the agency has committed to developing new rules to reduce mercury and other toxic emissions from power plants and cement kilns."