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Fish Consumption Warning for the Ohio River

By Kentucky Public Radio

Richmond, KY – The Kentucky Department for Public Health has issued consumption advisories for fish caught in the Ohio River. Spokeswoman Christine Atkinson says fish like White Bass, Flathead Catfish and Carp should be eaten only once a month, and that high mercury and PCB levels prompted the guidelines.

"Basically the guidelines are to give people good general ideas of a way to still eat fish which are nutritious and good for you but not to eat too much since we still have some pollution problems in our lakes and rivers as does most of the United States."

High mercury levels prove especially dangerous for children and pregnant women. People falling into these categories are advised to limit consumption of all Ohio River fish and completely avoid eating Paddlefish and some catfish.