Not only has Washington state failed to warn people against fishing in many spots polluted with toxics, it has gone so far as to recommend fishing in some spots known to have high concentrations of mercury, according to a new report released by two environmental groups. The report by the Washington Toxics Coalition and Washington Public Interest Research Group also found that the state has sometimes waited years to issue warnings after identifying spots that were too dangerous to fish in. Contaminated fish can be especially damaging to women of childbearing age and children. Washington immigrants who can’t read English are also often at risk because they eat lots of locally caught fish. David McBride, a state Health Department toxicologist, said the agency would seek funding to establish a more systematic fish advisory program.
