Pend Oreille River Fish Consumption Advisory Technical Summary July 2012

Overview There is also an existing statewide Washington State U.S./Canada Border fish advisory for mercury that affects In 2010-2011, the Washington Department of Health the Pend Oreille River. Women of Department of Ecology did a study childbearing age and young children Pend Oreille River to find background levels of chemi- should not eat northern pikeminnow, Fish Consumption cal contaminants in sediments and and limit largemouth and small- Advisory fish from Washington lakes and mouth bass to two meals per month. rivers located in Ferry, Stevens, and Priest Lake Pend Oreille Counties. The water- What is mercury and how bodies chosen were relatively free from direct human impact. does it get into fish? Mercury is an element found in rocks Fifteen different fish species were and soil. It can be released into the collected from 16 different water- environment from industrial air pol- bodies and analyzed for a variety of IDAHO lution and mining operations, and contaminants including mercury, through improper disposal of prod-

polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Washington ucts that contain mercury such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins transformers, thermostats, electrical (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzo- switches, and fluorescent bulbs. furans (PCDFs), and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs). All of these Mercury enters rivers, lakes, and Fish Advisory Area contaminants are persistent bioac- streams through rain or snow and is Newport cumulative (they stay in the envi- directly released from industrial or ronment a long time and build up in natural sources. Once it gets into the fish and humans that ingest them) water, it settles into the sediment. and toxic, and pose a hazard for fish Bacteria in the sediment convert Eat fish, Be Smart, Choose Wisely. and other aquatic life, wildlife, and mercury into methylmercury, a The American Heart Association recommends human health. more toxic form. eating fish at least two times a week as part The Washington Department of When fish eat smaller organisms of a healthy diet. To get the health benefits of Health analyzed the fish tissue from contaminated with methylmercury it eating fish, make smart choices and choose this study to see if any of the species builds up in the fish’s muscles (fillet) fish low in chemical contaminants. of fish had high enough levels of and is added to any mercury that was Removing fish from your diet won’t eliminate chemicals to issue new advice about already there. The bigger and older your exposure to contaminants. Other foods how much fish people should eat. a fish is, the more likely it is to have have chemical contaminants in them, too, but Because mercury levels in northern eaten lots of smaller, contaminated mercury and PCBs are mainly found in fish. pike were much higher than other fish. People are exposed to mercury fish species in the river an advisory when they eat fish. Washington State Department of Health is was needed. evaluating contaminants in additional fish What are the health impacts samples to decide if other fish species should Pend Oreille River Fish of mercury? be added to the advisory. Find the most Consumption Advisory updated fish advisories on our website. Mercury can harm the central Due to high mercury levels a fish nervous (brain) and immune systems. consumption advisory for northern If a baby or fetus is exposed to high See the back of this technical summary pike from the Pend Oreille River has levels of mercury the child may for more information. been issued. Women who are or develop learning and behavioral might become pregnant, nursing difficulties. If a person is exposed to mothers, and young children should high doses over time it can harm not eat northern pike bigger than organs, including the kidneys and 24 inches and should limit northern heart. A developing fetus or growing pike smaller than 24 inches to two child is more sensitive to mercury meals a month. than an adult. Pend Oreille River Fish Advisory www.doh.wa.gov/fish Page 1 of 2 Health Benefits of Fish Pend Oreille River The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least Fish Consumption Advisory two times per week as part of a healthy diet. Certain types of fish from the Pend Oreille River contain the toxic chemical • Fish is nutritious. mercury at levels that may harm your health, depending on how much Fish is low in saturated fat and a good source of pro- you eat. If you eat fish from this area follow these recommendations. tein, vitamins, minerals, and This is very important for women who are or might become pregnant, omega-3 fatty acids. nursing mothers, and young children because they are especially at risk for health problems that mercury may cause. • Fish is good for your heart. Omega-3s found in fish help prevent heart disease and CAUTION Meals Per Month* stroke by reducing blood pressure, inflammation, Northern Pike Smaller than 24 inches and blood clotting. 2 meals per month • Fish is brain food. Omega-3s may help relieve depression and may decrease Largemouth Bass 2 meals per month the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

• Omega-3s during pregnancy Smallmouth Bass 2 meals per month may help with the healthy development of a child’s brain, retina, and nerve tissue. DO NOT EAT To get the health benefits of eating fish, choose fish low in Bigger than 24 inches Northern Pike contaminants. DO NOT EAT More healthy choices are on our website www.doh.wa.gov/fish. Northern Pikeminnow DO NOT EAT Contact Information Fish Advisory * One meal is 8 ounces of uncooked fish for a 160 lb person. If you weigh more or less Department of Health than 160 lbs, add or subtract 1 ounce for every 20 lbs of body weight. Fish Advisories Program Toll Free: 1-877-485-7316 Preparing Fish the Healthy Way http://www.doh.wa.gov/fish Fish are part of a healthy diet. You can make it even healthier if you follow these tips. Contaminant Study Some chemicals build up in the fat of fish and can be reduced if you prepare and cook Department of Ecology fish correctly. Mercury can’t be reduced because it builds up in fish muscle (the fillet). Dale Norton Ph: 360-407-6765 • When cleaning fish, remove the skin, fat, [email protected] and internal organs before cooking. http://www.ecy.wa.gov • Grill, bake, or broil fish so that the fat drips off while cooking. DOH 334-302 July 2012 • Eat younger and smaller fish (within legal limits). This document is available in other formats for people with disabilities. Submit a request by calling 1-800-525-0127 (TDD/TTY call 711).

Pend Oreille River Fish Advisory www.doh.wa.gov/fish Page 2 of 2