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High Cancer Rates Found in Maryland Catfish

 

January 27, 2006 — By Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — More than half of one species of catfish sampled in the South

River had skin tumors, matching the highest rate in the nation, wildlife

officials said.

 

The skin tumor rate of brown bullhead catfish from the South River matched that

of brown bullheads taken from the Great Lakes, which had the nation's highest

rate. One fifth of the South River bullheads also had liver cancer, second only

to the rate found in the Anacostia River in 2001, where nearly 70 percent had

liver tumors, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife study released Tuesday.

 

" The fish are clearly exposed to cancer-causing agents, and at this point, we

really don't know what chemicals are responsible, " Fred Pinkney, the Fish and

Wildlife Service biologist who conducted the study, told The Washington Post.

" We suspect it's from (polluted) runoff. "

 

If more funding is found, the agency hopes to try to identify the carcinogen.

The study released Tuesday was funded in part by the South River Federation.

 

The nonprofit group monitors the 12-mile river, which flows through Anne Arundel

County into the bay just south of Annapolis.

 

Bullheads are studied because they are bottom feeders, living and eating where

pollutants accumulate; tend to stay in one area; and metabolize certain

carcinogens as humans do.

 

Richard McIntire, a Maryland Department of the Environment spokesman, said the

findings are not likely to prompt a catfish consumption advisory for the South

River. Swimming advisories, or advisories on other recreational use, also are

not planned, he said.

 

" This has been a known problem for quite some time, " McIntire said.

 

" If you catch any fish that looks strange, " he added, " throw it back. "

 

Drew Koslow, a riverkeeper appointed by the federation, said many recreational

fishermen eat catfish, perch and pickerel from the river, which is also used for

water-skiing and has several community beaches.

 

" A lot of kids and adults swim in the river, (and) we don't have the authority

to close it to swimming " or fishing, Koslow said.

 

Liver tumors in the Anacostia bullheads were linked to polynuclear aromatic

hydrocarbons, found in urban runoff that contains car exhaust residue, pavement

sealants and asphalt particles. In the South River, PAH levels are far lower

than in the Anacostia and more South River bullheads were found with skin

cancer.

 

Koslow noted the river is crossed by Route 50 and other roads, so " maybe it's

coming from the runoff off the highway -- or ski boats. "

 

" We don't have a lot of industry on the river, so we're pushing hard to figure

out what's going on and deal with it. "

 

Source: Associated Press

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

" Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England,

nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the

leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter

to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship,

or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ... Voice or no voice, the people

can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have

to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for

lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any

country. "

- General Herman Goering, President of German Reichstag & Nazi Party, Commander

of Luftwaffe