To cite this abstract / Pentru a cita rezumatul:
Petrisor AI, Drane W, Donohoe AM (1999), Fish Contamination with PCBs in Lake Hartwell, Bulletin of the South Carolina Academy of Science 61:82-83

FISH CONTAMINATION WITH
PCBs IN LAKE HARTWELL


Alexandru I. Petrisor, BS (Ecology) - University of South Carolina
J. Wanzer Drane, PE, PhD - University of South Carolina
Ann Marie Donohoe, RD, MSPH - Department of Health and Environmental Control

Abstract


Since 1975, when the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was discovered in Lake Hartwell, fish contamination has been documented in a series of studies. Even though the contamination source (Sangamo Electric Company) is no longer discharging these substances, their effects are ever present. PCBs not only damage the environment, but they are also carcinogenic to humans. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the health advisories concerning fish consumption around Lake Hartwell are still valid.
Three major and two minor species were taken to represent fish consumption in Lake Hartwell. Of secondary interest are their biological particularities. Fish tissue samples were chemically analyzed to determine PCB concentration. Other variables were also measured. Data were analyzed using SAS.
From the data analysis we can conclude that the recommendations currently in place should be maintained, and some of the limits should be extended. Continued monitoring of Lake Hartwell is also recommended.