N.C. Health Director lists mercury advisory for South and Black Rivers

 
Results from testing of the South and Black Rivers in southeastern North Carolina has revealed high levels of mercury. Largemouth bass, bowfin and chain pickerel taken from the rivers all showed higher than normal levels of mercury.

State Health Director Dennis McBride issued a Health Advisory on Feb 21, 2000 warning women of childbearing age and children to avoid eating the fish from the rivers. The advisory said consumption by others should be limited to no more than two meals per person per month.

The new consumption advisory is based upon analysis of fish tissue samples showing an average mercury level of 1.43 parts per million for bowfin, 1.31 ppm for largemouth bass, and 1.23 ppm for chain pickerel. The state-recommended action level for issuing an advisory for mercury in fish tissue is 1 ppm.

Both rivers are part of the Cape Fear River basin. The South River flows through Harnett, Sampson, Cumberland and Bladen counties. The portion of the Black River affected by the advisory is located in Sampson, Bladen and Pender counties.

NC officials have set up two public meetings to discuss the advisory.

March 6 at 7 p.m. at the Tri County Youth Center in Atkins, NC
March 7 at 7 p.m. at the Sampson County Governmental Complex in Clinton, NC


Feb 21, 2000 - NC Dept. of Health and Human Services press release
Listing of other NC fish advisories