News Coverage
Outdoors Odds and Ends
Published August 2, 2003
The Washington-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released results of testing of cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) levels in farmed salmon consumed in the United States. EWG found seven of 10 fish were so contaminated with PCBs that they raise cancer-risk concerns.
EWG analysis of government data also found that farmed salmon are likely the most PCB-contaminated protein source in the current U.S. food supply. EWG analysis of state-of-the-art fish consumption data derived from 20,000 adults from 1990 through 2002 shows that roughly 800,000 Americans are 100 times over their lifetime allowable cancer risk by eating this contaminated salmon.
The EWG recommends that consumers choose wild instead of farmed salmon where possible, and they should eat an 8-ounce serving of farmed salmon no more than once a month. Consumers should also trim fat from the fish before cooking, and choose broiling, baking, or grilling over frying, as these cooking methods allow the PCB-laden fat to cook off.