THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF THE 2017 FISH TISSUE MONITORING DATA

PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) announces the availability of the 2017 Fish Tissue monitoring data on July 23, 2018.

BACKGROUND:  The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) conducts routine studies of fish tissue and sediment samples in state waters to assess the human health risks for individuals who may consume fish from state waters and to identify impaired aquatic ecosystems. Results are made available to the public each year on the agency’s website.

In 2017, DEQ collected fish tissue samples from sites located in the Potomac, Shenandoah, James, York, Chowan, and Roanoke River basins. Samples were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls and a suite of 17 metals, including mercury.

2017 monitoring results will be available on the agency’s website on July 23, 2018 at the following link: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs/WaterQualityMonitoring/FishTissueMonitoring/FishTissueResults.aspx .

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) uses the data generated by DEQ’s fish tissue monitoring program to determine the need for fish consumption advisories.  More information on VDH fish consumption advisories is available here:  http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/public-health-toxicology/fish-consumption-advisories/

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Questions on DEQ’s fish tissue monitoring program can be directed to Rick Browder at 804-698-4134 or Richard.Browder@deq.virginia.gov, or Gabriel Darkwah at 804-698-4127 or Gabriel.Darkwah@deq.virginia.gov.  Additional information is also available on the VADEQ Water Quality Monitoring website at the following location http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs/WaterQualityMonitoring.aspx