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

DATE: SUNDAY, June 13, 1993                   TAG: 9306140107
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: NEMOURS, W.VA.                                LENGTH: Short

UNIDENTIFIED TOXIN KILLS FISH IN W.VA.

An unidentified toxin that killed fish in the Bluestone River may also be harmful to people, a state environmental official said.

Ronald Garrett, an inspector for the state Division of Natural Resources, said he found distressed and dead fish in the river near the Virginia border Friday afternoon.

"I stuck my hand in the water and when I pulled it out there was a tingling and burning sensation," Garrett said. He said the sensation remained even after he had rinsed his hand several times.

State biologists took water and fish samples, but had not yet identified the toxin, he said.

Garrett said people should avoid the river until state officials have determined the extent of the problem. - Associated Press

by CNB