Inquiry
Turns To Humans On Pollutant, Hormone Tie
Evidence Such as Eggs In
Male Fish Spurs Push
By David A. Fahrenthold- Washington Post Staff
Writer
Monday, December 4, 2006; Page B01
Growing evidence that chemicals in the environment can interfere with
animals' hormone systems -- including the discovery that male Potomac
River fish are growing eggs -- has focused the attention of environmentalists
and scientists on a new question: Are humans also at risk? A decade
ago, the very idea that pollutants could interfere with a body's chemical
messages was near the fringes of science. But now, it is an urgent
topic for lawmakers and researchers around the world, and especially
in the Washington area.
"Intersex
in the Mississippi"
KARE 11 Investigates: What's in the Water?
There are newly discovered contaminants in the Mississippi River in
Minnesota and it's having a measurable impact on fish.
You can't tell just by looking at them, but scientists have found
male fish with "female characteristics."
In some extreme cases, scientists have found male fish carrying eggs
inside their testes.
That's obviously
not supposed to happen. But it is. And it's raising a lot of questions.
The Twin Cities gets most of its drinking water from the same water
these fish are swimming in.
http://www.kare11.com/news/investigative/extras/extras_article.aspx?storyid=138149
by Pam Kasey/Journal
Researchers are
trying to figure out why this is happening in the South Branch of
the Potomac River
"Blue
Ridge Rivers Threatened"
by Bruce Ingram
"Tell your readers That something's
not right about the river." Those were the first words from a Mr.
Kinder of Romney ....
State,
Federal Agencies Probe Fish Kill on Potomac South Branch
By
HNN Staff /Huntington News
Romney, WV (HNN) – A fish kill on
the South Branch of the Potomac River is being investigated by state
and federal agencies. Distressed and dead fish were reported late
last week by river users near Romney in Hampshire County.
"South
Branch fish deaths leave DNR waiting for answers"
From Staff Reports/Cumberland
Times-News
Romney - Federal laboratory reports that may indicate why
hundreds of suckers have died in the South Branch of the Potomac River
are being awaited.
"Poorly
planned development causes concern"
By Lara Lutz/ Bay Journal
Poorly
planned development lands Shenandoah on endangered rivers list.Object
of listing is to raise public awareness for waterway while there is
still a chance to protect it.
"Male
Bass in Potomac Producing Eggs"
Pollution Suspected Cause of Anomaly
in River's South Branch
By David A. Fahrenthold/Washington Post Staff
Writer
Mooewfield, W.Va. -- The South Branch of the Potomac River is
as clear as bottled water here, where it rolls over a bed of smooth
stones about 230 miles upstream from Washington. But there is a mystery
beneath this glassy surface.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A33850-2004Oct14?language=printer
