The greatest number of advisories is issued for the Great Lakes states. State programs for advisories vary in quality. Some states have extensive monitoring while others do very little or nothing. The approach to risk assessments also varies greatly. While the EPA has provided significant leadership in its technical assistance to state programs, it has not developed standards for state programs, nor does it conduct any systematic evaluation of state programs.
States also vary in how well they disseminate their warnings.
Many people remain unaware of warnings in their state. And even when people are aware of the warnings, they may have limited efficacy because of the complex nature of the information the advisories provide. Shortcomings also exist in programs aimed at protecting consumers from contaminated commercially caught fish. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences made recommendations in 1991 that have yet to be carried out. NRDC'S Recommended Solutions Reducing contamination of fish that people eat will require a new commitment to eliminating releases of persistent toxic substances.