Volume 4 Pages 1 - 45 (March 1989)

Citation: Mason, C. (1989) Contaminants in British Eels  IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 4: 38

Previous | Contents | Next

Contaminants in British Eels

Chris Mason

The first national survey of pollutants in eels in the UK, 62 rivers being surveyed, revealed widespread contamination. The results have not been officially released by the government but were leaked to F.O.E, Mean concentrations of dieldrin from 39 sites exceeded the 0.1 mg/kg fresh weight level above which the Department of Health recommends that eels should not be consumed. Concentrations of dieldrin up to 1.18 mg/kg fresh weight were found. Unexpectedly high levels of DDT, HCH and PCBs were found at a number of sites. At 10 sites, mercury level exceeded the 0.3 mg/kg safety limit laid down by the E.E.C. Source : Environmental Data Services Report October 1988.

It had earlier been reported that 25% of 85 eels from Britain exceeded the E.E.C. standard (Chemosphere 16, 901-906, 1987). We await the government report with interest (if it ever appears!). It seems unlikely that British results are unique to Europe. Does anyone have comparable figures?

Previous | Contents | Next