VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UPDATES FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES

From the The Virginia Department of Health:

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has issued a new fish consumption advisory and has modified several existing advisories for various waterways throughout the Commonwealth. The advisories are in response to recent tissue sample tests conducted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Test results indicate that the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury exceed maximum levels allowed for bodies of water where fish are harvested for food.

Roanoke County, Franklin County, Bedford County and Pittsylvania County—Roanoke River/Smith Mountain Lake from below the Niagara Dam downstream to Smith Mountain Dam, including the Blackwater River to the Route 122 Bridge. These river segments comprise approximately 13 miles. The previous advisory recommended that no more than two eight-ounce meals per month of flathead catfish (less than 32 inches in size), striped bass, gizzard shad, redhorse sucker, largemouth bass and carp should be consumed. Per the previous advisory, flathead catfish (greater than 32 inches in size) should not be eaten. The advisory has been updated to also recommend that no more than two eight-ounce meals per month of channel catfish should be consumed.


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