Agencies Working to Remove Poisonous Fish

EPA says they don't know source of cancer-causing chemicals

DONNA - The Environmental Protection Agency is working to remove poisonous fish from the water in Donna. This is less than 24 hours after NEWSCHANNEL 5 reported the fish had tested positive for cancer-causing chemicals.

"Don't eat this fish. This fish is poison," says Valmichael Leos of the EPA.

We learned the fish contain extremely high levels of PCBs, a mixture of chemicals dangerous to humans.

"You can't cook those off. They're a man-made chemical, a very stable chemical," explains Craig Giggleman of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

We're told PCBs can give people an extreme case of acne or conditions much worse.

"It's been linked to liver cancer," adds Giggleman.

Experts say anyone who eats this fish is at risk, especially young children.

Tom Ellerbee of the Texas Department of State Health Services tells us, "We don't want anyone eating the fish that comes out of the reservoir or canal."

Agencies are working to get rid of as many fish as possible.

The EPA is in Donna for the next two to three weeks. They're working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state health department.

Crews are using special electro fishing boats.

"We're shocking them. We're basically electrocuting the fish. It stuns them long enough for us to catch them," explains Giggleman.

Workers plan to fill 50 to 100 barrels with the fish they collect.

We're told most of the fish will likely go to a hazardous waste dump. Others will go to a lab for testing.

The EPA wants to know where the dangerous chemicals are coming from.

Leos tells us, "Right now we don't know where the problem is. It could be in different areas."

He says when they need to find the source, so they can clean up the waters and make them safe again.

If you have any questions about the safety of fish in your area, you can call the EPA at 1-800- 533-3508.