University of West Florida researchers have found that mullet, redfish, speckled trout, flounder and croaker caught in the lower Escambia River, upper Escambia Bay, Bayou Chico, Bayou Texar and Bayou Grande have elevated levels of PCBs and dioxin. Both PCB and dioxin cause cancer.
The daily newspaper reports that if you remove the skin and fat from the fish that you can reduce exposure to these chemicals. Yeah! What we don’t know is how much of the tainted fish you have to eat before you develop cancer.
If you’ve lived in this area for awhile, you probably have at least one friend, family member or co-worker who has battled cancer. I can immediately think of two family friends who were long-time residents that died of cancer; two current friends that are battling; and six women who have battled breast cancer…all have lived in Pensacola more than 15 years.
I see the report as another sign that this community we call “paradise” isn’t quite what we think it is. We’ve ignored the environment too long….or at least have taken it for granted.
Will we hear any comments from the Santa Rosa or Escambia County commissions on this problem? How about the city councils of Pensacola or Gulf Breeze?