This advisory is being issued by the Kentucky Departments for Public Health, Environmental Protection, and Fish and Wildlife Resources. It is based on the agencies' review of fish contamination information provided by the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. Fillets of largemouth bass and channel catfish taken from the lake were tested for organic chemical contaminants (PCBs and chlordane) and heavy metals (mercury, cadmium and lead). Other fish in the lake may contain similar levels of contaminants and should be eaten with caution. The data were assessed and the advisory recommended based on risk-assessment methods developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Great Lakes Sport Fish Advisory Task Force.

People who frequently eat fish, women of childbearing age and children are particularly susceptible to contaminants that build up in the body (such as PCB's and chlordane). Women beyond their childbearing years and men face fewer health risks from contaminants. However those persons should also follow the advisory to reduce their total exposure and be especially careful to space meals over time. Spacing meals helps prevent contaminants from building up to harmful levels in the body.

Proper cleaning, skinning, trimming and cooking can reduce the organic chemical contaminant levels in the fish. Eat only skinless, boneless fillets with as much fat as possible removed. However, heavy metal contaminants such as mercury are distributed throughout the flesh of the fish. Cleaning and cooking precautions will not reduce the amount of mercury in the meal. In order to reduce your mercury intake, you must reduce the amount of contaminated fish that you eat. Because larger fish tend to have higher levels of contaminants, eat smaller fish.

This advisory is being issued to inform the public about the possible risks of eating unrestricted amounts of fish from Metropolis Lake. Metropolis Lake is popular with local anglers. The 50-acre lake and surrounding Metropolis Lake State Nature Preserve were purchased by the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission in 1984 to protect habitat for several species of fish considered rare in Kentucky. The monitoring of tissue residue levels in fish from Metropolis Lake is an ongoing program of the state agencies.

Contacts:
Guy Delius (Public Health)     502-564-7181
Benjy Kinman (Fish & Wildlife)     502-564-3596
Eric Eisiminger (Environmental Protection)     502-564-3410
Joyce Bender (Nature Preserves Commission)     502-573-2886