[Pharmwaste] Contaminants might explain intersex fish in Potomac basin

[DeBiasi,Deborah]

Clue discovered in fish mystery
Contaminants might explain intersex fish in Potomac basin
The Associated Press
Saturday, January 20, 2007


CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Scientists investigating intersex fish in the
Potomac River basin have found endocrine-disrupting contaminants in
several tributaries, including pesticides, flame retardants and
personal-care products, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

One substance, the fungicide hexachlorobenzene, has been banned from use
in the United States, the USGS said in a report released Wednesday.

Water samples taken at eight sites in West Virginia and blood plasma
from smallmouth bass were analyzed for the study, which was prompted by
the 2003 discovery of intersex fish in the Potomac rivershed in West
Virginia. Intersex fish are males that produce immature eggs in their
testes.

Hexachlorobenzene, pentachloroanisole, and two flame retardants known as
BDE 47 and BDE 99 were found in water samples take from all eight sites,
the report said. The sites included six in the South Branch of the
Potomac, one in the Cacapon River and a reference site in the Williams
River basin, which isn't part of the Potomac River basin.

Hormones produced by an organism's endocrine system govern sexual and
reproductive characteristics.

"Endocrine disruptors of this type may contribute to the high percentage
of male smallmouth bass found in the Potomac that exhibit female
characteristics," the USGS said.

Diethyl-hexyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate, two substances used in
plastics, were found in all of the fish blood plasma samples.

"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 and the study's lead investigator.
"All samples contained detectable levels of at least one known
endocrine-disrupting compound, including samples from fish without
intersex."

Potential sources of contamination include wastewater treatment plants,
runoff from agricultural activities and industrial wastewater, the
report said.

Scientists have not determined whether there is a link between the
contaminants and intersex fish. Further studies are planned to determine
whether endocrine disruptors interfere with the reproduction and
development of aquatic life, the USGS said.

The Environmental Protection Agency has been studying the issue of
endocrine disruptors since 1996 but currently does not issue guidelines
to water treatment plants for allowable levels of estrogenic compounds.

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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