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Why did OEHHA update the advisory for eating fish from Little Rock Reservoir?
OEHHA updated an advisory for Little Rock Reservoir to include advice for two
additional species, bullhead species and Golden Shiner, and to update advice for black
bass species. This advisory was developed because of mercury found in the fish
caught from this water body. Little Rock Reservoir is located approximately 12 miles
south of Palmdale, in Los Angeles County. This advisory is part of an ongoing effort by
OEHHA to provide safe-eating advice for fish in different California water bodies.
Why should I eat fish?
· Low-contaminant fish are an important part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. The
American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fish
each week.
· Fish are a good source of protein and vitamins, and are a primary dietary source
of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Eating low-contaminant fish while pregnant
may help the baby’s brain develop.
Which chemical is of concern for people eating fish from Little Rock Reservoir?
· Mercury
o Mercury is a metal that comes from mining, air fallout from burning coal and
other fuels, and natural sources. It is the most commonly found contaminant
in fish.
o Too much methylmercury, the form of mercury found in fish, can harm the
brain, especially in fetuses, babies, and children. Mothers can pass
methylmercury to their babies during pregnancy.
o Because fetuses, babies, and children are especially sensitive to mercury,
OEHHA has one set of advice for the amount of mercury-containing fish that
women age 18–49 years and children should eat, and another set of advice
for women 50 years and older and men 18 years and older.
How did OEHHA determine the consumption guidelines for fish from Little Rock
Reservoir?
· OEHHA compared chemical levels in fish caught from Little Rock Reservoir to
levels that are considered safe for human consumption.
INFORMATION ABOUT EATING FISH FROM
LITTLE ROCK RESERVOIR (LOS ANGELES COUNTY)
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
California Environmental Protection Agency
October 2021
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· OEHHA’s consumption guidelines balance the health benefits of fish
consumption and the risks from the contaminants.
What does OEHHA recommend for people who want to eat fish from Little Rock
Reservoir?
· OEHHA recommends the amounts and types of fish that may be eaten each
week as “servings.” A serving is about the size and thickness of your hand for
fish fillets. Give children smaller servings. For smaller fish species, several
individual fish may be required to yield a serving.
· Women 18–49 years and children 1–17 years
o Should not eat black bass species, Common Carp, or White Catfish
o May eat:
§ 1 total serving per week of bullhead species, crappie species, Golden
Shiner, Rainbow Trout, or sunfish species
· Women 50 years and older and men age 18 years and older
o Should not eat black bass species
o May eat:
§ 1 total serving per week of Common Carp or White Catfish, or
§ 2 total servings per week of bullhead species, crappie species, or sunfish
species, or
§ 3 total servings per week of Golden Shiner or Rainbow Trout
· For additional fish species found in Little Rock Reservoir and not included in this
advisory, OEHHA recommends following the statewide advisory for eating fish
from California’s lakes and reservoirs without site-specific advice.
What else can I do to protect my health and the health of my family?
· Eat a variety of fish.
· Eat smaller (younger) fish of legal size.
· Eat only the skinless fillet or meat portion of fish.
· Thoroughly cook the fish, allow the juice to drain away.
· Learn about OEHHA’s guidelines for eating sport fish in California:
o Visit https://oehha.ca.gov/fish/advisories, or call OEHHA at (916) 324-7572 or
(510) 622-3170
o Check the Freshwater or Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklets from the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or visit
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Regulations
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