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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2017 18:26:56 GMT
Dear Lori,
1.Has the State tested Razor clams for levels of Arsenic contamination?
2.Has the State tested the softshell clams in the Umpqua River Estuary for levels of levels of Arsenic Contamination? The softshell clams of the Umpqua River Estuary are of particular interest because of the thousands of clam shells associated the International Paper Mill at Gardiner, and from the information provided by the DEQ indicates the State did not test the softshell clams for levels of Arsenic contamination. Has the State ever tested the softshell clams from this area of the Estuary?
3.Has the State done any follow up testing to the softshell clams in the Yaquina River for Arsenic?
4.Has the State done any follow up testing in any of our coastal waters for arsenic or any other contaminates?
5.Has the State done any follow up testing of the softshell clams in Coos Bay for Arsenic or any other contaminates.
Please be specific with the answers to our inquiries. We will use the information to the benefit of the members of Oregon's clam digging community.
Thank you for your consideration, William Lackner for the members of the clam digging community.
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Post by Admin on Dec 4, 2017 20:35:10 GMT
FW: Arsenic Testing
JK
JACKSON Kate <Kate.Jackson@state.or.us>
Reply |
Thu 11/9, 12:34 PM
You forwarded this message on 11/10/2017 3:58 PM
Dear Mr. Lackner,
I am responding to your recent questions to Lori Pillsbury. You asked whether DEQ has done additional testing of clams for inorganic arsenic on the South Coast. The answer to each of your questions is no.
The statewide toxics monitoring program focuses on different parts of the state on a rotating basis. DEQ does not know when we will return to the South Coast or whether there will be adequate funds to include tissue testing as was done in the previous round. No additional sampling has been done in the Yaquina, Umpqua, or Coos Bay estuaries.
However, in response to the findings of elevated inorganic arsenic in coastal shellfish tissue (sampling events in 2013 and 2015), Oregon Health Authority has posted two documents online to advise consumers on safe consumption of recreational shellfish:
www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/RECREATION/FISHCONSUMPTION/Pages/fishadvisories.aspx#shellfish
www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/RECREATION/FISHCONSUMPTION/Documents/softshell-clam-advisory-faq.pdf
The first link goes to the Recreational Shellfish Advisories and Consumption Guidelines. This page advises consumers how much softshell or gaper clams are safe to eat on a regular basis expressed as meals per month and serving size, depending on the consumer’s age and whether the siphon is removed. The most important part of the health advisory is to remove the skin from the siphon before eating softshell and gaper clams.
The pdf link goes to an Oregon Coast Softshell Clam Health Advisory dated July 13, 2015. This document explains the reasons for the advisory and answers frequently asked questions. In response to the initial tissue results, follow up testing was done on several other species: cockles, butter clams and gaper clams. Razor clams were not tested. These analyses showed a concern with inorganic arsenic levels only in gaper clams. For that reason, the advisory includes gapers along with softshell clams.
Thank you for your continued interest in this subject. Please contact me if you have additional concerns.
Sincerely, Kate Jackson
From: WILLIAM LACKNER [mailto:WILLIAMLACKNER001@msn.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2017 11:18 AM
To: PILLSBURY Lori <PILLSBURY.Lori@deq.state.or.us>; REP Gomberg <Rep.DavidGomberg@state.or.us>; PILLSBURY Lori <PILLSBURY.Lori@deq.state.or.us>; SEN Roblan <Sen.ArnieRoblan@state.or.us>; REP McKeown <Rep.CaddyMcKeown@state.or.us>; Julie Tasnady <julie.tasnady@oregon.gov>; Senator Jeff Merkley <Senator_Merkley@Merkley.senate.gov>
Subject: Arsenic Testing
Dear Lori, b
1.Has the State tested Razor clams for levels of Arsenic contamination?
2.Has the State tested the softshell clams in the Umpqua River Estuary for levels of levels of Arsenic Contamination? The softshell clams of the Umpqua River Estuary are of particular interest because of the thousands of clam shells associated the International Paper Mill at Gardiner, and from the information provided by the DEQ indicates the State did not test the softshell clams for levels of Arsenic contamination. Has the State ever tested the softshell clams from this area of the Estuary?
3.Has the State done any follow up testing to the softshell clams in the Yaquina River for Arsenic?
4.Has the State done any follow up testing in any of our coastal waters for arsenic or any other contaminates?
5.Has the State done any follow up testing of the softshell clams in Coos Bay for Arsenic or any other contaminates.
Please be specific with the answers to our inquiries. We will use the information to the benefit of the members of Oregon's clam digging community.
Thank you for your consideration, William Lackner for the members of the clam digging community.
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