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INFORMATION ABOUT EATING FISH FROM
LEGG LAKE (LOS ANGELES COUNTY)
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
California Environmental Protection Agency
April 2018
Why did OEHHA develop an advisory for eating fish from Legg Lake?
OEHHA developed an advisory for Legg Lake because of mercury and PCBs found in
the fish caught from two of the three water bodies that make up the Legg Lake complex:
North Lake, Center Lake, and Legg Lake. Advice was extended to the third water body
(North Lake) because of the connectivity of the three water bodies that allows fish to
move between them unrestricted. These lakes are located in Los Angeles County in the
Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. It is located in the city of South El Monte, CA,
approximately 14 miles east of Los Angeles. 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, 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 chemicals are of concern for people eating fish from Legg Lake?
• Mercury
o Mercury is a metal that comes from natural sources, mining, and air fallout
from burning coal and other fuels. 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 18-45 years and children should eat, and another set of advice
for women 46 years and older and men 18 years and older.
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
o PCBs are industrial chemicals. While banned in the 1970s, they persist for
many years in the environment and are still found in the air and water from
spills, leaks, and improper disposal.
o High levels of PCBs can cause health problems. Some forms of PCBs
caused cancer in animal studies.
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o
PCBs can build up to very high levels in the skin, fat, and some internal
organs of fish. That is why OEHHA recommends eating only skinless fillet
(meat) of fish.
How did OEHHA determine the consumption guidelines for fish from Legg Lake?
• OEHHA compared chemical levels in fish caught from Legg Lake to levels that
are considered safe for human consumption.
• OEHHA’s consumption guidelines balance the risks and benefits of fish
consumption.
What does OEHHA recommend for people who want to eat fish from Legg Lake?
• 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.
• Women 18-45 years and children 1-17 years
o May eat:
1 total serving per week of black bass species or Common Carp, or
5 total servings per week of Channel Catfish, or
7 total servings per week of sunfish species
• Women 46 years and older and men age 18 years and older
o May eat:
1 total serving per week of Common Carp, or
3 total servings per week of black bass species, or
5 total servings per week of Channel Catfish, or
7 total servings per week of sunfish species
• For additional fish species found in Legg Lake 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 www.oehha.ca.gov (click on “FISH”, then “Fish Advisories”), or call
OEHHA at (916) 324-7572 or (510) 622-3170
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