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2007-9-3 17:33:08 |
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DDT, a recognized carcinogen, is still a significant contaminant in water along Los Angeles County's coast decades after tons of the pesticide were dumped into sewers, then flowed into the ocean, according to a new Environmental report recently released. Fish caught in the water still contain high levels of DDT, which was banned in 1972 in the United States after it was classified as a probably human carcinogen, the EPA survey report says. DDT can also harm the liver and the reproductive system. The survey based on data collected mainly in 2002 shows that DDT levels in fish caught in such a contaminated region were not reduced much compared to a survey conducted in the late 1980s. Among 1,200 fish caught off the Los Angeles county coast, the highest levels of DDT were found in white croakers from near san Pedro and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. In comparison, DDT levels were lower in fish caught off Orange County and areas north of the Redondo Beach Pier. The data has prompted state officials to reconsider the safety issue over the fish caught locally. Foodconsumer.org suggests that consumers should read fish consumption advisories from each state before eating any locally caught fish. The DDT levels were much lower now than in the 1972. But the EPA are concerned that the current levels are still too high, a spokesperson for the federal agency was cited by news media as saying. Montrose Chemical Co. released 2,000 tons of DDT made from 1947 to 1971 into sewers that have eventually contaminated the local water along Los Angeles County's coast, according to the AP. DDT is highly persistent in the environment. |
