Being located on the Great Lakes is a blessing for local fishermen, but it’s important to know the potential health effects of consuming certain types of fish in the area.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released updated information for their Eat Safe Fish guidelines which recommend limiting the amount of smelt and carp ingested from certain local areas.
There have been elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) found in the smelt as well as elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) found in carp. These chemicals can build up in the fish which then can cause a buildup in humans. The effects of these chemicals in humans aren’t fully known, but may cause neurotoxicity, thyroid disruption, and reproductive toxicity, to name a few.
For a complete list of areas that are safe or unsafe, visit: michigan.gov.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
