Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), alongside the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Agriculture, has decided to stop statewide testing for organochlorine pesticides in fish from local lakes and rivers. These pesticides, including DDT, have been banned for many years but were still tested due to their persistence in the environment.

Testing for these chemicals began in 1974 because they can accumulate in fish tissue. However, after nearly five decades, the levels found have decreased significantly, prompting the state to cease testing for these substances. Testing will continue for other contaminants like methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Dr. Sameer Vohra, IDPH Director, remarked on this development: "The progress made in improving the safety of fish found in Illinois waterways is an incredible victory for public health and a testament to the success of sensible health and safety regulations." He credited the ban on harmful pesticides like DDT with making water cleaner and food safer.

John J. Kim, Director of the Illinois EPA, noted that data from the Illinois Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program demonstrates significant reductions in pollutants: "Data clearly shows that these organochlorine pesticides are no longer prevalent in our waters or the fish that live in those waters."

Dr. Michael Woods from the Department of Agriculture highlighted this as a success story for agriculture: "Illinois farmers are always seeking advancement... To render any contaminant testing obsolete while Illinois farmers continue to produce at historic levels is a success story for the entire state."

Organochlorine pesticides were widely used across America starting in the 1940s. Concerns about their impact led to bans beginning with DDT's agricultural use prohibition in 1972 and followed by others in subsequent years.

The state's monitoring program initially found concerning levels of such chemicals as DDT, chlordane, and dieldrin. Over time, these levels dropped below unsafe thresholds due to regulatory measures.

Fish consumption advisories are issued annually by IDPH when necessary. Further information can be accessed through their website.