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Article misses the opportunity to inform fish consumers of potential health effects
A surprising amount of fish are eaten from the Ohio River, according to a survey by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission. A Louisville Courier-Journal article reports the results of the survey and the public's reaction, but does not thoroughly explain the health issues associated with eating the fish.
More than 13 million pounds of fish–approximately 13,250 pounds per mile of river per year–are eaten despite health warnings regarding mercury and other pollutants. The amount of fish was a surprise to the commission, which sets water standards for the river.
Because of contaminants–especially mercury–in the fish, state and federal agencies produce guidelines and advisories for how much fish and of what species can be safely eaten. Reporter James Brugger refers to the recommendations but only briefly specifies what the recommendations are near the end of the article, including an example of only one specific fish. He provides no additional information about how to find out about current fish-eating advisories. The omissions are particularly significant because about half of the survey respondents were not aware of fish consumption warnings.