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July 23, 2003 Contact: Bonnie Widerburg (503) 731-4180 Technical contact: Amanda Guay (503) 872-5357 Fish hazards prompt mini-grants for community groups The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) said today it is making available small grants in the Portland area to educate various community and ethnic groups about health risks of eating fish from the Willamette River. DHS will award three to ten grants, funded with federal dollars, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 each in August and September. Application deadline is 5 p.m. on Aug 25. Application packets can be obtained on the Web at www.healthoregon.org/superfund or by calling public health educator Amanda Guay at (503) 872-5357. "We're looking for effective ways to reach people who eat fish from the lower Willamette River," said Guay. In 2000, the federal Environmental Protection Agency added the section of the Willamette River from the southern tip of Sauvie Island to the Fremont Bridge to its national Superfund list. Guay said it is well known that various community and ethnic groups regularly catch and eat fish from that area of the river. "We want to focus prevention efforts directly to the various populations that are fishing the river," Guay said. "We know they include Russian immigrants, African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians, and there are others. We have accurate health information but it needs to be translated and communicated in ways that take into account specific cultural practices. That's why we are turning to community leaders and organizations for help." Contaminants found in the sediment in this section of the river include PCBs, dioxins and heavy metals, which tend to build up in fatty tissues of fish. The health effects of these contaminants may include cancer and damage to the brain, liver and immune system of developing fetuses and children. Children under age six and women who are pregnant, nursing or planning to become pregnant are especially at risk. Guay says that these health risks can be reduced if people know how to properly prepare and cook fish, and reduce their consumption of those species of fish that are more likely to be contaminated, such as sturgeon and largemouth bass. "This is an opportunity for leadership organizations, youth groups and churches to help educate others in their own community. We strongly encourage collaboration among applicants," Guay said. The mini-grants are completely funded with federal dollars through a cooperative agreement with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. |
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