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July 9, 2008
GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMPTION OF LOCAL FRESH WATER FISH
Based on the New York State Department of Health 2008-2009 Advisories as they relate to chemicals in sportfish and game, and on information from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation's monitoring program of fresh water sites, the Nassau County Department of Health advises residents to limit consumption of fish from nine (9) local fresh water ponds and lakes. Individuals are advised of the following guidelines regarding the preparation and consumption of certain fish due to elevated levels of chemicals:
| Water |
Species |
Recommendations |
Chemical of Concern |
Ridders Pond
North New Hyde Park
|
Goldfish |
Do not eat |
Chlordane |
Grant Park
Pond
Hewlett
|
Carp |
Eat no more than one meal per month |
PCBs |
Hall's Pond
Lakeview /
W. Hempstead
|
Carp, Goldfish |
Do not eat either fish |
Chlordane |
Loft's Pond
Baldwin
|
Carp, Goldfish |
Eat no more than one meal per month
of carp or goldfish |
Chlordane |
Upper Massapequa Reservoir
Massapequa
|
White perch |
Eat no more than one meal per month |
Chlordane |
Smith Pond
Roosevelt Park
|
Am. eel, Carp, Goldfish |
Do not eat eel
Eat no more than one meal per month
of carp or goldfish |
Chlordane
Chlordane |
Whitney Park Pond
Manhasset |
Carp, Goldfish |
Eat no more than one meal per month
of carp or goldfish |
Chlordane |
Freeport Reservoir
Freeport |
Carp |
Eat no more than one meal per month |
Chlordane |
Smith Pond
Rockville Centre |
White perch |
Eat no more than one meal per month |
Chlordane |
Women of childbearing age, infants, and children under 15 years of age should not eat any fish from the waters listed above.
Persons wishing to reduce the chemical content of the listed fish should be sure to properly clean their catch. In addition, remove all skin and cut away all fat along the back, the belly, and the dark vee-shaped fatty tissue which appears along the entire length of the fillet.
While cooking will not destroy the chemicals, melting away additional fat will reduce the chemical content in the food. Do not consume the drippings. Discard all dripping as they contain greater amounts of chemicals.
For additional information please contact the New York State Health Department weekdays from 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. at 1-800-458-1158, extension 27815 or on the New York State Department of Health website at: www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/outdoors/fish/fish.htm
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