Investments

Bank Of America Investment An advisory group has asked National Park Service officials to highlight the potential risk of mercury contamination from consuming freshwater fish caught in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Sadly, eating most fresh fish is no longer recommended. Mercury levels in almost all fish have now hit dangerously high levels across the world, and the risk of this mercury to your health now outweighs the fish' 3 benefits.

Investment Opportunity The request was made after Thomas Hoffman, of Branchville, attended Saturdays semi-annual meeting of The Citizen Advisory Commission for the park to call attention to what he feels is poor information on the National Recreation Areas Web page and other literature. Both the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Protection have issued cautions about elevated levels of mercury in locally caught freshwater fish. The DEP advises that individuals limit their consumption of certain fish to one meal per week, with certain high-risk individuals advised to only have one meal per month of freshwater fish.

Mercury from power plants also poses grave risks, particularly to pregnant women and young children. High levels of mercury, which can cause brain damage, have been found in fish in Florida and other states. A CDC national study found that one in 12 women of childbearing age had mercury levels above the EPA' health marker. Yet the Bush administration has proposed reducing mercury emissions by only 30 percent, instead of the 90 percent reduction needed for safe levels.

Banc Of America Investment The National Park Service literature describes, excellent fishing, in the recreation area, and does not mention the health cautions. The airstream that comes here from the Midwest brings all kinds of pollutants, including mercury, Hoffman said. It doesnt stop flowing over the Water Gap. Hoffman said the National Park Service needs to be more candid about the risks.

''You made a stab at tuna but you didn't quite get it right, '' Marion Aller, the Florida Agriculture Department's food safety director, told the Food and Drug Administration. Fish is very nutritious, healthy and important for fetal brain development. But fish also can harbor mercury, eaters over time and, at high enough levels, can damage the growing brains of fetuses and young children. About 8 percent of U.S. women of childbearing age have enough mercury in their blood to put a fetus at risk.

Banking Investment The DEP issued a guide to mercury health advisories for eating fish which outlines suggested limitations on fish consumption. The EPA cautions that women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, along with nursing mothers and small children should be considered high risk, groups, with extremely limited freshwater fish consumption. Statewide, individuals are advised to limit meals of largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as chain pickerel to one meal per week, with high risk groups advised to have no more than one such meal each month. High risk individuals are also urged to limit consumption of yellow bullheads and sunfish. Locally, in the area of the Delaware Water Gap, there are also suggested limitations on eating channel catfish and muskellunge.

generated mercury emissions, electric utilities. Mercury is a persistent, toxic pollutant that accumulates in the food chain. While concentrations of it in the air are usually low, mercury emissions can reach lakes, rivers and estuaries and can eventually build up in fish tissue. Americans are exposed to mercury primarily by eating certain species of fish.

Investment Solution Strategic The EPA advisory states that, It is unlikely that the level of mercury found in these fish would cause noticeable health effects in adults with short-term consumption. However, consumption of contaminated fish poses potential effects on the nervous system of developing fetuses.

That wording is still confusing to consumers, FDA's scientific advisers said Thursday. Instead, friendly list that tells women of childbearing age not just which fish to avoid but which are low in mercury and thus good choices, panelists told FDA. And include a third category of fish with medium mercury levels that should be eaten only in small amounts, perhaps once a week. mercury list, mercury albacore should be on the caution list, Aller said.

Investment Banking Services The advisory also states that long-term consumption by adults and older children could result in neurological damage.

Bank Investment Mercury is a toxic metal that accumulates in the fish tissue from their normal food chain. Larger fish at the top of the food chain, like chain pickerel, are more likely to have the highest levels of mercury in their system.

Alternative Investment Were not talking about something thats germane to the Delaware River, said commission chairman Robert Uguccioni of Stroudsburg. I believe the public has been informed of the danger by both states.

Online Investment Services Uguccioni asked William Laitner, the Superintendent of the National Recreation Area to have the parks Internet site modified to include links to the EPA advisory, and to the advisories issued by each states environmental agency. Laitner said he would include the links with fishing information on the site.

Accompany Essential Investment Both New Jersey and Pennsylvania issue pamphlets which contain the advisory when a fishing license is purchased. Adults need a valid license from either state to fish inside the National Recreation Area.

Investment Company The responsibility lies with the appropriate agencies in the State of New Jersey and the State of Pennsylvania to inform the public, Uguccioni said.

Investment Management Solution Commission members Bill Mineo and Richard Gross both noted that fishing license guides from both states note the EPA and local advisories.

Investment Management Services It seems to me if park visitors are to make an informed decision, the information the park provides must be supplemented. You should provide people with a full disclosure of the dangers, Hoffman said. Tell them theres a mercury problem. Dont tell them the fishing is excellent.

Guide Investment Stock Uguccioni said that except for children, People who fish have to have a license. If you get a fishing license, you get a manual. Thats the entry to that sport, when you buy that license, not when you enter the park. Uguccioni said he believes the burden of informing the public should be through the licensing process.

Investment Manual Solution By J.G. Wallace

Investment Stock NJ Herald - 1/14/2002

Topic: Toxics

[ Comment, Edit or Article Submission ]