However, this question was answered in a recent New York Times expose entitled Preschool Puberty, and a Search for the Causes. According to the article “children are at higher risk of early puberty as a result of the increasing prevalence of certain drugs, cosmetics and environmental contaminants, called ‘endocrine disruptors,’ that can cause breast growth, pubic hair development and other symptoms of puberty.” In other words, the same chemicals that are causing harmful reactions in the Potomac Bass may be changing the natural aging progression of our nation’s children.

To complicate matters, recent health reports have stressed the health benefits of eating more fish. According a study by the Harvard School of Public Health eating fish twice a week lowers the prevalence of heart disease by almost 40% in the general population. Many scientists are concerned though that these findings will cause people to eat as much fish as they can get their hands on. Because many fish come from polluted areas, eating them exposes a person to mercury and other contaminants. That is why pregnant women are told to stay away from eating fish. Unfortunately, few in the general population know about these risks.

The New York Times report is just one example of how our dirty waters are hurting out youth. As more and more people begin to take advantage of the health benefits of fish and other aquatic life, we need to make an effort to make sure that our waters are free from harmful chemicals and toxins.