The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH), in coordination with six other east coast states, reminds consumers of advisories on striped bass and bluefish consumption. These fish can contain high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware and HEALTH recommend that pregnant women, women considering pregnancy, nursing mothers and children younger than six years of age refrain from eating striped bass and bluefish. In addition, HEALTH recommends that other people eat bluefish or striped bass only once a month.
PCB exposures are of particular concern for children during development and may affect the endocrine system and brain development. Animal studies have shown that PCB exposures can increase cancer risk.
Fish can still be part of a healthy diet, especially when consumers pick a variety of seafood including shellfish, smaller ocean fish, canned fish and farm-raised fish. For information on fish advisories, visit http://www.health.ri.gov/healthyhousing/mercury/fish.php