DSHS Issues Fish Consumption Advisory for Lake Como

News Release
Feb. 9, 2016

The Texas Department of State Health Services today issued a fish consumption advisory for Lake Como in Tarrant County after laboratory testing of fish samples found elevated levels of Dieldrin, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs in common carp.

DSHS advises people to avoid consuming common carp from Lake Como. Regular or long-term consumption of common carp from these waters may increase the likelihood of long-term health risks. People can still fish in the area, though they should not consume common carp.

Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of these chemicals many decades ago, they break down very slowly in the environment and can accumulate in animals such as fish. Long-term consumption of these toxins may cause cancer as well as reproductive, immune system, developmental and liver problems in humans.

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(News Media Contact: Christine Mann, DSHS Press Officer, 512-776-7511)

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