SEATTLE (AP) — Washington environmental regulators want to update standards to better protect people who eat fish and shellfish from the state’s waters.
Officials say the state currently uses inaccurate fish consumption rates as a basis for environmental cleanup and pollution control. They say the current rates — developed in the 1980s and 1990s — don’t reflect that some Washington residents likely eat larger amounts of fish.
A Department of Ecology preliminary report suggests a new fish consumption rate of 157 to 267 grams per day. That’s much higher than current rates.
A higher fish consumption rate could mean less toxic pollutants would be allowed in waters and sediment.
Ecology wants the public to weigh in on the issue. A public workshop is planned this year.
