Warning issued on some Sound salmon

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, October 26, 2006

OLYMPIA — Diners should limit how often they eat some Puget Sound salmon because of harmful chemicals that may be in the fish, state health officials said Thursday.

The new advice for eating Chinook salmon follows a Health Department study of toxic substances in Puget Sound fish.

Scientists found that Chinook and some other species of fish have high levels of mercury and PCBs, a banned industrial chemical.

To avoid those substances, the Health Department now recommends limiting Chinook salmon to one meal per week, and resident Chinook, or blackmouth, to two meals per month.

Officials said the meal limits are particularly important for young children and women who may have children, because mercury and PCBs can cause behavior and learning problems.