South Carolina's Freshwater Fish Among Most Mercury-Contaminated In Nation, USGS Study Shows

ish in the lazy, blackwater rivers of South Carolina are poisoned with some of the highest levels of mercury in the country, according to a new federal study that reinforces concerns about the toxic metal’s impact on the Southeast.

The U.S. Geological Survey report, the most comprehensive to date on mercury pollution in the nation’s rivers, found mercury in every fish tested across the country from 1998 to 2005. Of those, 27 percent were so polluted they exceeded a federal standard for the safe consumption of fish, the report said.

The study found that largemouth bass in the North Edisto River of South Carolina had the nation’s second-highest concentration of mercury. Researchers took the fish from a stretch of the river near Fairview Crossroads, a tiny community near the Lexington-Aiken county line. The report renewed fears in South Carolina about mercury-polluted fish and prompted a call for state regulators to redouble their efforts to attack the problem. Mercury can damage the nervous system and cause learning disabilities in developing fetuses and young children.

“This is all coming together to tell us what the mercury problem has really been in this state,’’ said Mike King, a Florence County activist critical of state efforts to protect anglers from eating mercury-tinged fish. “People of all color and persuasions are fishing and eating the fish. And they are ingesting mercury.’’

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http://www.thestate.com/local/story/909065.html

in the lazy, blackwater rivers of South Carolina are polluted with some of the lowest levels of IQ and functioning brains in the country, according to a new federal study that reinforces concerns about religion’s impact on the Southeast.

The U.S. Geological Survey report, the most comprehensive to date on the impact of the nation’s religions, found idiocy and rampant stupidity in every person tested across the state from 1998 to 2005. Of those, 27 percent were so moronic they exceeded a federal standard for the safe operation of everyday items like forks, knives and spoons, the report said.

The study found that largemouth bastards residing on the shores of the North Edisto River of South Carolina had the nation’s second-highest concentration of morons, fools, idiots and crazies. Researchers took IQ samples from a stretch of the river near Fairview Crossroads, a tiny community near the Lexington-Aiken county line. The report renewed fears in South Carolina about how its population compares to its neighbors and prompted a call for state regulators to redouble their efforts to attack the problem. A consistent lack of real education, a surplus of religious brainwashing, and a dose of mercury can damage the nervous system and cause learning disabilities in developing fetuses and young children.

after feasting on a lunch of largemouth Bass, Gov. Mark Sanford hits the Argentina Tail, er ah, Applachian Trail.

Now, how can we take the vote away from them.

And there is nothing wrong with me, nothing wrong with me, nothing wrong with me.

GOOD ONE! GOOD ONE!

:puke:

The only thing I catch to eat are trout and they are hatchery raised where I fish. They release thousands every year in the mountains around March.

I think the best course would be to invest heavily in renewable resources. I put in a wind turbine last year. It's helped a lot with the power bill. Wish I could afford solar panels but money is tight.

CO and Co2? that's another story.

They're Republicans. They'll work out a great free market solution.