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

DATE: MONDAY, February 25, 1991                   TAG: 9102250332
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                                LENGTH: Short

FISH NEAR PLANT HAVE HIGH RATE OF CANCER

An unusually high rate of cancer has been found in fish near an industrial site on the Elizabeth River, a Virginia Institute of Marine Science study says.

More than 90 percent of adult mummichogs caught since 1989 near the Atlantic Wood Industries plant in Portsmouth had cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions on their livers, the study says.

Some fish also had cancer in their kidneys, pancreas, blood vessels and lymphoid tissues.

"If something causes cancer in one animal, it has the potential to cause cancer in all animals, including human beings," said Jolene Chinchilli, scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The environmental group is urging reductions in toxic discharges into the Bay and its tributaries.

"Whether it's passed far up the food chain or not, it's a warning to us: This is something that should not be happening."

- Associated Press

by CNB