The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has issued a fish consumption advisory for Lake Norman in Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties.
The advisory was issued following a review of fish tissue data for the hybrid striped bass that found elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in hybrid striped bass in this waterway. This fish consumption advisory is based on an increased risk for liver and immune system effects for individuals that eat hybrid striped bass contaminated with PCBs.
Because of PCB contamination in the hybrid bass, it is recommended that people not eat more than two meals per week of hybrid striped bass from Lake Norman. The PCB fish contamination does not present a known health risk for persons engaging in recreational activities such as wading, swimming, boating, handling fish or touching the water.