Arkansas – Two local North Arkansas lakes, Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake, are now under the effect of a Fish Consumption Advisory, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
A Fish Consumption Advisory for mercury comes into effect when a specific species of fish has been analyzed and found to contain an exceeding amount of mercury within their tissues. This threshold is 1.0 part per million, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Mercury increases can be attributed to natural or man-made factors such as soil, rain, snow, or fog, or even agricultural products and smokestack emissions.
The local species affected by this are walleye; and while the advisory is under effect, these fish should not be eaten, especially by women who are pregnant.
This will not limit the use of the lake water for any other purpose. Questions on this advisory will be addressed at the Donald Reynolds Library in Mountain Home at 5pm, Feb 7th.
