[CPEO-MEF] Alert sounded for Leon Creek

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Texas
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
Alert sounded for Leon Creek
By Christopher Anderson
Web Posted : 08/30/2003 12:00 AM

The Texas Department of Health is warning residents not to eat any fish
from a stretch of Leon Creek near Kelly USA and Lackland AFB after a
toxic chemical banned in this country a quarter-century ago exceeded
safe levels for eating by as much as 15 times.

Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, were used widely before Congress
banned them in 1976 because they can cause cancer and linger in the
environment.

Eight of 11 fish that testers caught in Leon Creek at a site between
Kelly and Lackland had levels of PCBs exceeding national and state
health standards, said Michael Tennant, an environmental specialist in
the state health department's seafood safety division.

The state health department is advising people not to eat any fish
caught in Leon Creek from the U.S. 90 bridge south to Southwest Military
Drive. The advisory will remain in effect until PCB levels have declined
to safe levels.

Tennant said tissue samples from 11 additional fish caught outside this
advisory area had levels of PCBs the state and federal government
consider acceptable for human consumption.

Gary Heideman, assistant director of the TDH's seafood safety division,
said the Air Force requested the testing and paid $41,725 for the work.

This article can be viewed at:
http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=180&xlc=1047531

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