[Pharmwaste] Sex-changing chemicals found in Potomac River

[DeBiasi,Deborah]

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Sex-changing chemicals found in Potomac River
Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:25 PM ET



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chemicals known to change the sexual
characteristics of fish and other animals have been found in West
Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River, which runs through
Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas, the U.S. Geological Survey said
on Wednesday.

An investigation into fish that had both male and female characteristics
turned up a range of chemicals including pesticides, flame retardants,
and personal-care products, the USGS said.

The Potomac is fed by rivers and streams in Maryland, Virginia and West
Virginia.

"We analyzed samples of 30 smallmouth bass from six sites, including
male and female fish without intersex and male fish with intersex," said
Douglas Chambers, a USGS scientist who led the study.

"All samples contained detectable levels of at least one known
endocrine-disrupting compound, including samples from fish without
intersex."

Endocrine disrupters affect the animals' hormone systems. They can cause
birth defects and sexual abnormalities called intersex in species
ranging from frogs to alligators and perhaps humans as well.

"Antibiotics were detected in municipal wastewater, aquaculture, and
poultry-processing effluent, with the highest number of antibiotics and
the greatest concentrations found in municipal effluent," the USGS wrote
in the report, published at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1393/.

The USGS said the sexual changes in the fish were discovered by accident
in 2003, when scientists were investigating massive fish kills.

"Many potential sources of contaminants discharge to the South Branch of
the Potomac and Cacapon Rivers. Chief among these are runoff from
agricultural activities, municipal and domestic wastewater effluent
(both treated and untreated), industrial wastewater, and gypsy moth
control programs using dimilin (diflubenzuron)," the report reads.



Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218 (NEW!)
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028
FAX:      804-698-4032