Officials: Badin Lake fish not safe

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on February 13, 2009 1:46 PM

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RALEIGH -- A fish consumption advisory is in effect for Badin Lake, where high chemical levels pose a potential problem to consumers.

N.C. Division of Public Health officials said Wednesday that large mouth bass and catfish in the lake, located between Stanly and Montgomery counties, had elevated PCB levels. PCBs are chemicals formerly used as coolants and transformer lubricants that were released into the environment through manufacturing or improper disposal and storage of electrical equipment.

Since 2006, the fish have been under statewide and regional mercury advisories. Officials advise pregnant or nursing women or children under 15 not to eat from the lake. Others should not eat more than one weekly meal including fish from the lake.