State report: Dangerous levels of selenium in water, fish near coal mines

State regulators have found dangerous levels of selenium in water and fish near coal mines in Eastern Kentucky, but they have not put restrictions on the mineral, environmental groups charged Tuesday. The state Division of Water stalled for two years before releasing the information, the groups said. "What makes us the maddest is that the division has had this information for a while now," said Judith Petersen of the Kentucky Waterways Alliance. The main concern with the levels found in Eastern Kentucky is the effect on fish and wildlife, Petersen said. But in higher doses, selenium can be toxic to humans. State officials said the suggestion that they withheld information is "inaccurate and false." But Peter Goodman, assistant director of the state Division of Water, said an employee erred when he repeatedly denied an environmental group's request for selenium test results through the Open Record Act.