J. Burger, FISHING AND RISK ALONG THE SAVANNA RIVER - POSSIBLE INTERVENTION, Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A, 55(6), 1998, pp. 405-419
Fishing is often perceived as an enjoyable activity, and eating fish i
s viewed as safe and healthful. However, with recent increases in cons
umption advisories because of contamination, the public is faced with
whether to eat fish or not. In this article I examine the knowledge ba
se of people fishing along the Savannah River, where South Carolina ha
s issued consumption advisories because of mercury and radionuclides.
Over 250 people fishing from the Augusta lock and dam to south of the
Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) were interviewed from
early April until late November 1997. Overall 82% of the fishermen th
ought the fish were safe to eat, even though 62% had heard some warnin
gs about eating the fish. There were significant differences in whethe
r people thought the fish were safe to eat as a function of income, ag
e, education, and whether they were employed at the Savannah River Sit
e. Significantly more fishermen thought the fish were safe who made mo
re than $20,000/year, were over 34 yr of age, worked at SRS, and had n
o college or technical training, compared to others. Significantly few
er blacks had heard of consumption advisories than whites, fewer low-i
ncome people had heard, and fewer people who had not worked at SRS had
heard, compared to others. Most people heard about the advisories fro
m television, newspapers, and other people, although more blacks than
whites heard about advisories from the radio. There were a/so signific
ant ethnic differences in distance traveled, and in whether specific f
ish were frozen for later consumption. These data can be used to desig
n an information program to target the people who may be most at risk
from eating fish obtained from the Savannah River.