Here are the advisories for 2000 and for 1999 . Women of childbearing age and children 6 years and younger are advised to eat no more than one meal per week of freshwater fish from Kentucky rivers, streams and lakes because of the presence of mercury. People who frequently eat fish, women of childbearing age and children are particularly susceptible to contaminants that build up in the body, such as PCBs and chlordane. Women beyond their childbearing years and men face fewer health risks from contaminants. However, those persons should also follow the advisory to reduce their total exposure and be especially careful to space meals over time.
Spacing meals helps prevent contaminants from building up to harmful levels in the body.
Proper cleaning, skinning, trimming and cooking can reduce the organic chemical contaminant levels in the fish. Eat only skinless, boneless fillets with as much fat as possible removed. Eggs should be discarded. Roasting, baking or broiling have been found to reduce levels of PCBs and chlordane more than other cooking methods. Cooking does not destroy contaminants, nor does it lower their toxicity.