Yellowstone fish still under scrutiny months after derailment
Nine months after a train accident spilled asphalt into the Yellowstone River, officials debate the safety of its fish for consumption.Brett French reports for The Billings Gazette.In short:State officials are evaluating the safety of consuming fish from a section of the Yellowstone River affected by a train derailment that released asphalt.Various fish species tested showed high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), raising health concerns.Efforts are underway to further assess the spread of PAHs and decide on the continuation of the fish consumption advisory.Key quote:“The agencies are developing a plan for additional sampling in the spring to help delineate the extent of PAHs for human consumption concerns and confirm whether continuing the advisory is warranted.”— Moira Davin, public relations specialist for the Montana Department of Environmental QualityWhy this matters:Train derailments can be toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms, leading to reduced populations or even local extinctions. The contamination of water and soil can affect the entire food chain. Smaller species that are directly exposed to pollutants can be consumed by larger predators, causing bioaccumulation of hazardous substances in wildlife. Public health can also be affected, as residents of East Palestine found after a Norfolk Southern train derailed carrying an array of toxic chemicals.
Nine months after a train accident spilled asphalt into the Yellowstone River, officials debate the safety of its fish for consumption.Brett French reports for The Billings Gazette.In short:State officials are evaluating the safety of consuming fish from a section of the Yellowstone River affected by a train derailment that released asphalt.Various fish species tested showed high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), raising health concerns.Efforts are underway to further assess the spread of PAHs and decide on the continuation of the fish consumption advisory.Key quote:“The agencies are developing a plan for additional sampling in the spring to help delineate the extent of PAHs for human consumption concerns and confirm whether continuing the advisory is warranted.”— Moira Davin, public relations specialist for the Montana Department of Environmental QualityWhy this matters:Train derailments can be toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms, leading to reduced populations or even local extinctions. The contamination of water and soil can affect the entire food chain. Smaller species that are directly exposed to pollutants can be consumed by larger predators, causing bioaccumulation of hazardous substances in wildlife. Public health can also be affected, as residents of East Palestine found after a Norfolk Southern train derailed carrying an array of toxic chemicals.
Nine months after a train accident spilled asphalt into the Yellowstone River, officials debate the safety of its fish for consumption.
Brett French reports for The Billings Gazette.
In short:
- State officials are evaluating the safety of consuming fish from a section of the Yellowstone River affected by a train derailment that released asphalt.
- Various fish species tested showed high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), raising health concerns.
- Efforts are underway to further assess the spread of PAHs and decide on the continuation of the fish consumption advisory.
Key quote:
“The agencies are developing a plan for additional sampling in the spring to help delineate the extent of PAHs for human consumption concerns and confirm whether continuing the advisory is warranted.”
— Moira Davin, public relations specialist for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Why this matters:
Train derailments can be toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms, leading to reduced populations or even local extinctions. The contamination of water and soil can affect the entire food chain. Smaller species that are directly exposed to pollutants can be consumed by larger predators, causing bioaccumulation of hazardous substances in wildlife. Public health can also be affected, as residents of East Palestine found after a Norfolk Southern train derailed carrying an array of toxic chemicals.