Lonelygirl15

Evan

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.
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AutoPilate · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:19 am Post subject:

Oh man, it's gonna be just like that movie Prophecy with the skinless bear and giant radioactive fish. Shocked

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nobackspacebutton · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:59 am Post subject:

lol

thats crazy
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butterfly · Lonely Fan Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 148

yeah, I don't think I'll order the fish next time I'm at a restaurant in that area! Shocked

7Harry7Potter7 · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:57 am Post subject:

wth.
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Languorous Lass · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:45 am Post subject:

You're worrying about the fish? AFAIK, water from the Potomac is filtered for people in that area to drink. Shocked

kristenjane · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

oh lord... that explains a bit.
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kristenjane · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

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lonelyelendi · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject:

Kristen you are hilarious!
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kristenjane · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:51 pm Post subject: