Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 25, 1990                   TAG: 9005250187
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Medium

PEAK CREEK FISH CALLED SAFE TO EAT

The state Water Control Board recently tested three types of fish after months of monitoring heavy metals that have been leaching into the creek water from the old Allied Chemical plant.

The plant closed in 1976, but left behind chemical piles that contain metals including lead, selenium, iron and zinc. Runoff on the piles carries the waste into the creek and turns the water a rusty red.

Results from the fish tests were turned over to the health department last week and officials completed their analysis Wednesday.

"Based on this data, it appears the fish are safe to eat," said Margaret Robinson, director of the New River Valley Health District.

The metals in the fish tissue were compared with drinking water standards, Robinson said. There are no legal limits for chemical contaminants in fish except for mercury.

"The metals are either below detection levels as determined by the lab or below the levels found in drinking water," she said. "People can still eat the fish, swim in the lake and use the lake for recreation purposes."

But some New River Valley residents still were being cautious.

"I'm concerned," said Richard Stanford, spokesman for the Triangle Bassmasters, a fishing club. "As long as that stuff's in the lake, I'm going to be a little leery."

Lake and creek users have been waiting anxiously for results from the fish tests since the state Water Control Board took the samples April 23.

Stanford said he often gets calls from anglers asking whether they can eat what they catch.

Chris Clark, who goes fishing with his father almost every weekend, said he's thrown back into the lake every fish he's caught this spring.

"We used to bring them home and eat them," Clark said. "But everybody's saying that the stuff in the water could mess up the fish. We've been afraid it would make us sick."

Clark, 17, said now that the health district has determined the fish are safe, he'll probably bring them home for dinner again.

The Control Board tested carp, bluegill and bass.

"We are pleased with the results thus far," Robinson said. But she said the Water Control Board has agreed to do more testing, this time of larger and older fish.