Limit consumption of sturgeon caught in lower Columbia River, WA health officials warn

The point out Department of Wellness is recommending the community restrict their consumption of sturgeon caught from the lessen Columbia River.

The overall health advisory comes as fish tissue details displays contaminant ranges of polychlorinated biphenyls — or PCBs — at degrees previously mentioned Washington state’s screening values. In Washington, the advisory applies to any fish caught in the Columbia River involving the Bonneville Dam and the mouth of the Columbia.

DOH suggests that most older people ought to not try to eat far more than eight meals of sturgeon a thirty day period, and no extra than seven for pregnant ladies, nursing mothers and little ones. A food is viewed as a serving size of sturgeon about the measurement of the palm of the hand.

The Oregon Well being Authority also issued an advisory for the decrease Columbia River and the decreased Willamette River.

According to DOH, PCBs can exist in sediment in which sturgeon feed, which can guide to accumulations in their unwanted fat-prosperous meat. Consuming way too quite a few fish contaminated with PCBs can have adverse health outcomes such as harm to organs, the nervous program and possible discovering and behavioral organs, in accordance to the Oregon Wellbeing Authority.

Infants and youthful small children are the most susceptible to these destructive health and fitness effects, in accordance to DOH.