Read more: Local, Environment, Health Officials, Texas Department of State Health Services, Fish, Reservoir, Canal System, Chemical, Tom Ellerbee, Health Hazard, Water, Carl Bowet, Contamination, Thyroid, Fishing, Hidalgo County, Rio Grande Valley
Health officials from the Texas Department of State Health Services came to the Valley to alert residents not to eat the fish located in the Donna reservoir and canal system.
Pictures of the contaminated fish and warning signs lined the Donna Library as health officials talked to residents about the health risks of eating fish from the Donna Lake.
"They contain PCBs which is a chemical, and they are at levels that we feel are a health concern," said Public Health Assessor Tom Ellerbee. "And it could cause the public health hazard."
The discovery of PCBs in the fish goes back to 1993 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency measured an extremely high PCB concentration in the fish.
"I would like to know what's going on in the Valley about the water," said Carl Bowet.
Bowet lives north of Weslaco, and he said he's concerned that flooding could spread the contamination.
But Ellerbee said at this time, that's not likely.
"PCBs are found in the sediment. They're not usually found in the water," said Ellerbee. "Right now, the contamination we feel is contained in the reservoir canal system."
But he said eating the contaminated fish is dangerous.
He said if you eat the fish over a period of years, you could get anything from liver to thyroid problems or even breakout in acne.
People have been spotted fishing from Donna Lake and taking the fish home, but officials said there are warning signs posted for a reason.
Even though some of the signs have graffiti written on them, the message is still clear.
It reads: "Please do not eat or keep fish from the Donna Lake and Canal System."
Doing so could cost you up to 500 dollars in fines.
If you have any comments or concerns about the issue, you can contact the state.
The Texas Department of State Health Services is accepting public comment on their website.
The comments will be accepted until August 26, 2010.
