Cancer causing chemical tainted fish found in Badin Lake

Written by David Whisenant - bio l email

BADIN, NC (WBTV)  The state of North Carolina has issued a warning for people not to eat some fish in Badin Lake.

A study conducted by the state found fish contaminated with PCB in the northern end of Badin Lake.  PCB stands for polychlorinated biphenyls.  Banned in the 1970's, PCB was used as a coolant and lubricant in manufacturing equipment.

Stanly County officials believe the PCB may have come from the now defunct Alcoa aluminum smelter in the town of Badin.  In the past company officials have acknowledged PCB contamination in silt near the plant, but they question whether or not PCB from the plant caused the latest contamination.

The state is conducting further research to try and learn the source of the contamination.

Alcoa has a federal license to control dams and lakes and uses the water for hydroelectric plants.  That license is up for renewal and this state study could delay the process.

The warning was issued on Wednesday and it informs people not to eat catfish or largemouth bass cauught on Badin Lake.

"Well I think it's pretty crummy," said fisherman Jackie Strider of Troy, NC.  "If you can't eat the fish out of the lake, I mean, you know, that's the whole idea of me fishing, to catch fish to eat."

PCB contamination can producer severe health problems and has been linked to cancer.