Sex-changing chemicals found in Potomac River

Evan · Post by **Evan** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:17 am

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chemicals known to change the sexual characteristics of fish and other animals have been found in West Virginia tributaries of the Potomac River, which runs through Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Wednesday.

An investigation into fish that had both male and female characteristics turned up a range of chemicals including pesticides, flame retardants, and personal-care products, the USGS said.

The Potomac is fed by rivers and streams in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

"We analyzed samples of 30 smallmouth bass from six sites, including male and female fish without intersex and male fish with intersex," said Douglas Chambers, a USGS scientist who led the study.

"All samples contained detectable levels of at least one known endocrine-disrupting compound, including samples from fish without intersex."

Endocrine disrupters affect the animals' hormone systems. They can cause birth defects and sexual abnormalities called intersex in species ranging from frogs to alligators and perhaps humans as well.

"Antibiotics were detected in municipal wastewater, aquaculture, and poultry-processing effluent, with the highest number of antibiotics and the greatest concentrations found in municipal effluent," the USGS wrote in the report, published at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1393/.

The USGS said the sexual changes in the fish were discovered by accident in 2003, when scientists were investigating massive fish kills.

"Many potential sources of contaminants discharge to the South Branch of the Potomac and Cacapon Rivers. Chief among these are runoff from agricultural activities, municipal and domestic wastewater effluent (both treated and untreated), industrial wastewater, and gypsy moth control programs using dimilin (diflubenzuron)," the report reads.

AutoPilate · Post by **AutoPilate** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:19 am

Oh man, it's gonna be just like that movie Prophecy with the skinless bear and giant radioactive fish.

nobackspacebutton · Post by **nobackspacebutton** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:59 am

lol

thats crazy

butterfly · Post by **butterfly** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:51 am

yeah, I don't think I'll order the fish next time I'm at a restaurant in that area!

7Harry7Potter7 · Post by **7Harry7Potter7** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:57 am

Languorous Lass · Post by **Languorous Lass** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 12:45 pm

You're worrying about the fish? AFAIK, water from the Potomac is filtered for people in that area to drink.

kristenjane · Post by **kristenjane** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:08 pm

oh lord... that explains a bit.

kristenjane · Post by **kristenjane** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:08 pm

lonelyelendi · Post by **lonelyelendi** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 7:34 pm

Kristen you are hilarious!

kristenjane · Post by **kristenjane** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:51 pm

lonelyelendi wrote:Kristen you are hilarious!

No I am not. You are a liar!!