Low pollution levels in fish from the Elbe

Fish from the Elbe are only slightly contaminated with pollutants, according to an investigation by the State Environment Agency. In the annual monitoring of pollutant concentrations, 87 percent of the samples remained unobjectionable, the office announced on Friday. The remaining 13 percent of contaminated fish samples were a lower value than in the previous year, when 16 percent had been detected. The monitoring of pollutant levels began in 1994 and improvements in water quality have been demonstrated over the years.

A total of 100 fish were caught and examined for the monitoring (already in the fall of 2022). The maximum permissible value for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was exceeded in five fish, including lead, barbel and magpie. These are toxic and carcinogenic chlorine compounds. Eight fish, mainly asp, also had unacceptably high mercury levels.

The state environmental agency recommends limiting the consumption of Elbe fish to a certain level. Differences are made depending on species and size. A person should not eat more than two kilograms of small and medium-sized fish per month. In general, it should be taken into account that the pollutant load of the fish increases with weight. Large asp, zander, barbel, bleak, catfish and chub should therefore only be eaten occasionally.