The Michigan Department of Community Health is reminding residents of the 10 Mile-Lange-Revere canals and anglers to not eat any fish caught in those waterways.

Sampling of fish caught in these canals were found to have high concentrations of PCBs, enough to give a person eating one fish 34 years' worth of PCBs in one meal, according to the Department of Community Health.

A "do not eat" advisory was issued for bottom-feeder carp and catfish for all of Lake St. Clair.

"(The letter) is a reminder," said Christina Bush, toxicologist with the Department of Community Health. "It is not just for last year." 

The state is currently sampling of fish including carp, bullhead, channel catfish, walleye and smallmouth bass caught in the areas north and south of the canals to determine the extent of PCB contamination in fish outside of the 10-Mile-Lange-Revere canals.

Bush added that the state may collect more fish from Lake St. Clair as investigators study the extent of the PCB contamination.

Residents are also urged to avoid swimming in the canals and to avoid using water drawn from the waterways for irrigating lawns or gardens.

PCB History

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) chemicals were first discovered in 2001 in the Lange and Revere canals prior to a dredging project.

The EPA worked with the city, county and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to determine the contamination came from the 10 Mile storm sewer.

The EPA is currently working to address the PCBs including monitoring the 10 Mile Drain, addressing the high level of PCBs found in the four manhole vaults and a comprehensive investigation into the contamination.