Locally caught fish still blacklisted

(JB) Consumers should continue to steer clear of fish caught in Luxembourg rivers as traces of harmful chemicals remain in the water.

The message came from Luxembourg's ministry of health, which relaunched the warning at the start of the fishing season.

It explained in a statement that certain fish were contaminated by harmful chemicals in the water, in particular polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Eels and white fish found in the Moselle river are particularly susceptible to such contamination and, if eaten, could cause serious health problems in humans.

A similar warning was issued at the start of the 2010 fishing season.

In order to address the problem, the health ministry has launched a two-year campaign in which it will analyse the water quality from 2011 to 2013.

Until the results are made public, fisherman and consumers are advised to avoid eating eel from any waterways in Luxemoubrg and to limit the consumption of white fish caught in the Moselle to once a month. Children should avoid consuming both fish types.

PCBs were formerly used as dielectric fluids for coolants and in early flourescent light fittings. They are shown to have toxic and mutagenic effects, interferring with hormones in the body and leading to serious skeletal, sexual and mental developmental problems.