Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I eat fish?

Why do we have advisories?

To make sure that the fish you catch are safe to eat, Utah Department of Environmental Quality tests fish from lakes, rivers, and streams all over Utah.  All samples are tested for chemicals and metals to see if any of the fish are contaminated. 

The Utah Department of Health looks closely at the data and then issues fish consumption advisories where contaminated fish have been found.  The health effects from consuming fish are only in the fish.  This means you can still enjoy water activities like boating, skiing, swimming, and even recreational fishing.

Why are some fish not safe?

Harmful materials can get into our environment in many ways.  These materials end up in lakes, rivers, and streams where they can contaminate plants and animals, like fish, that live in the water.  Contaminants get into fish through the plants and animals that they eat.  Some of these chemicals remain in the body of the fish.  Older and larger fish have eaten more and been in the water longer, so there may be more contaminants in their bodies.  When you eat these fish, the contaminants get into your body, too.

Your body naturally removes small amounts of these contaminants.  Health problems may happen when there are too many harmful chemicals in the body.  Babies and children are more at risk because their bodies are still developing.  Women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing should be very careful about the fish that they eat.  These women should check the fish advisory for fish consumption limits.  Heavy metals are the main contaminants in Utah.  Additional information on contaminants can be found at Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.  

Mercury

Selenium

Selenium is a naturally occurring mineral element that is distributed widely in nature in most rocks and soils.  In its pure form selenium is metallic gray to black hexagonal crystals.  Most processed selenium is used in the electronics industry, but it is also used: as a nutritional supplement; in the glass industry; and as a component of pigments in plastics, paints, enamels, inks, and rubber. Selenium can enter the air from burning coal and oil; it can enter the water from rocks and soil, and from agricultural and industrial waste. 

Selenium has both beneficial and harmful effects.  Low doses of selenium are needed to maintain good health.  However, exposure to high levels can cause adverse health effects.  Short-term oral exposure to high concentrations of selenium may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Brief exposures to high levels of selenium in air can result in respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, difficulty breathing, and stomach pains. 

Arsenic

Arsenic occurs naturally in low levels in our environment.  Some arsenic found in the environment is a result of past mining activities.  Arsenic compounds are used to preserve wood; it is also used as a pesticide, primarily on cotton plants.

Ingesting low levels or arsenic can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of “pins and needles” in hands and feet.  Ingesting or breathing low levels of arsenic for a long time can cause a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small “corns” or “warts” on the palms, soles, and torso. 

Additional information on contaminants can be found at Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.  

How can I reduce the health risks from contaminated fish?

You can reduce the health risks from eating any type of fish by following these tips:

• Do not eat more than the amount of fish recommended by the fish consumption advisories.
• Eat fish from lakes and rivers that do not have advisories.
• Eat smaller fish and smaller amounts of fish.
• Eat different types of fish instead of just one type.
• Enjoy fishing by catching then releasing the fish instead of eating them.

Remember:  You cannot remove mercury or arsenic by any special cleaning or cooking methods.  This is because mercury and arsenic are stored in the meat of the fish and not the in the fat or skin. 

How much is one meal of fish?

• One meal for an adult is a half-pound or 8 ounces of fish.  This is the weight of the fish BEFORE you cook it.  Eight ounces of raw fish is about the size of two decks of playing cards.
• One meal for a child is 4 ounces of fish.  Four ounces of raw fish is about the size of one deck of playing cards.

What about fish that I buy instead of catch?

Where can I get more information?

Where are fish advisories in Utah?

Who is my local Health Department?

Updated 6/13/06 kg