North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services has just issued a fish consumption advisory for Lake Norman, including the surrounding counties of; Mecklenburg, Catawba, Iredell, and Lincoln.
After fish tissue data from hybrid striped bass returned with elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the state immediately issued the warning. This fish consumption advisory is based on an increased risk for liver and immune system effects for individuals that eat hybrid striped bass contaminated with PCBs.
There is now an increased risk for liver and immune system problems for anyone who eats hybrid striped bass caught in Lake Norman.
Due to the elevated levels of PCBs, the NCDHHS recommends not to eat more than 2 meals per week of hybrid striped bass, caught from Lake Norman. The PCB fish contamination does not present a known health risk for persons engaging in recreational activities such as wading, swimming, boating, handling fish or touching the water.
According to the warning, it’s still safe to swim in the lake, as the PCB fish contamination presents no known health risks recreational activities including; “wading, swimming, boating, handling fish or touching the water”.