Introduction
In 2022, in cooperation with the Division of Wildlife Resources, DWQ obtained tissue samples from 16 species of waterfowl from wetland areas adjacent to Great Salt Lake which included the Salt Creek Public Shooting Grounds, Ogden Bay, Farmington Bay, and Harold Crane Wildlife Management Areas. This effort was intended to update waterfowl consumption advisories for mercury originally issued in 2005 and 2006 for three species of waterfowl from wetlands in the GSL (Common Goldeneye, Cinnamon Teal and Northern Shoveler). Based on this data and recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services, DWQ is removing consumption advisories for Cinnamon Teal and Northern Shoveler species as concentrations are below the advisory threshold of 0.3 ug/g. The consumption advisory for the Common Goldeye will remain in place due to inadequate data to recommend its removal. DWQ will work with DWR in obtaining the necessary information to fully evaluate the Common Goldeneye in the near future.
Public Health Action Plan
The Environmental Epidemiology Program of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services will continue to work with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and local health departments on the development of waterfowl sampling and monitoring plans for Utah.
Consumption Advisories
The Environmental Epidemiology Program (EEP) completed a health consultation recommending that a consumption advisory for waterfowl harvested from the Great Salt Lake marshes be issued because of the elevated levels of mercury detected.
Common Goldeneye
Adults should eat no more than four 8-ounce meal per month. Children (6-16) and women of childbearing age should eat no more than one 8-ounce serving per month. Pregnant women and children <6 years old should not eat Common Goldeneye from Great Salt Lake marshes.
Resources
Reports
- An Evaluation of Mercury Concentrations in Ducks from The Great Salt Lake, 2005 and 2006
- An Evaluation of Mercury Concentrations in Waterfowl from the Great Salt Lake, 2004 and 2005
Press Releases
- Press Release: September 20, 2006: Duck Advisories Revised
- Press Release: September 29, 2005: High Mercury Levels Found in Two Duck Species
Links
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
- American Heart Association
- Environmental Protection Agency fish advisories
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration fish advisories
- Utah Department of Environmental Quality
- Utah Department of Health
- Utah Department of Natural Resources
Contacts
Utah Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Quality
P.O. Box 144870Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4870
Phone: (801) 536-4300
Fax: (801) 536-4301
Utah Department of Health Environmental Epidemiology Program
P.O. Box 142104 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-2104Phone: (801) 538-6191
Fax: (801) 538-6564
Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife Resources
P.O. Box 146301 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6301Phone: (801) 538-4700
Fax: (801) 538-4745