Consumption should be limited to a maximum of 6 ounces of the fowl and fish per week per adult. The public is further advised not to consume any livers of waterfowl taken from these sites. In addition, because of the unknown toxicity of selenium on reproduction and unknown toxicity in children under 15 years of age, it is advised that pregnant or nursing woman, and children under 15 years of age not consume any fish, ducks or coots taken from these areas.
Selenium is a chemical element resembling sulfur.
In trace amounts it is a nutritional requirement, but excess dietary intake of selenium is known to cause skin and gastrointestinal disorders. There is an unproven possibility that ingesting large amounts of selenium may cause fetal malformation in pregnant woman. There is no evidence to date of any human selenium intoxication resulting from exposure to these sources in Uintah County. However, as a precautionary measure, based on data from U.S. Department of Interior studies, it has been determined that a public heath advisory concerning consumption of fish, duck and American coots is warranted. In 1983, elevated levels of selenium were documented in water, sediment and plants and animals from the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge in the San Joaquin Valley of California.