This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
State officials are warning residents against eating fish caught at three Utah locations — Big Sand Wash Reservoir, Millsite Reservoir and Pineview Reservoir.
According to the Department of Environmental Quality, the flesh of fish from these sites may contain potentially harmful quantities of mercury.
Mercury is associated with neurological defects in infants and children, so young children, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, and nursing mothers are advised against eating fish known to contain elevated levels of mercury.
While eating the fish occasionally should not result in adverse health effects, the EPA recommends against repeated consumption over the long-term.
According to the DEQ, state officials detected elevated levels of mercury in smallmouth bass from Pineview Reservoir; splake trout from Millsite Reservoir; and yellow perch, smallmouth bass and walleye from Big Sand Reservoir.
The DEQ recommends pregnant women and children under the age of 6 avoid consuming any yellow perch, smallmouth bass or walleye caught at Big Sand Reservoir.
A full list of all fish consumption advisories in Utah can be found at http://www.fishadvisories.utah.gov.