WESTFORD — The Department of Public Health on Monday issued a health advisory for residents to avoid consuming certain fish from Long Sought For Pond that could be contaminated with mercury.
The agency routinely samples fish and water throughout the state for both mercury and PFAS and later issues advisories on what fish should not be consumed based on where they were caught.
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal released into the atmosphere from events such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires, but contamination can also originate from air pollution from coal-burning power plants or the burning of oil, wood and certain other materials.
According to DPH, mercury cannot be removed from contaminated fish – it may not be cut, cleaned or cooked out. At higher levels, adults and older children can experience health effects from these chemicals, such as behavior changes and memory loss among other issues.
Children under 12 years old. as well as people who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant are advised not to eat Largemouth Bass from the pond, while others are advised to limit consumption to two meals per month.
Fish that have been stocked by the DPH are safe to consume. The agency stocked the pond with Rainbow Trout on Oct. 4, 2024.
