Researchers Study Effects Of Pollution On Fish In Allegheny River

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh went on a fishing expedition on the Allegheny River today, but the boat ride was not just for fun.

The research team, led by Dr. Dan Volz from the University of Pittsburgh Center for Environmental Oncology, were looking for sources of pollution in the river.

Volz is heading up a study on how the contaminates in the river are affecting fish and in turn the health of people who eat the fish.

In earlier studies Volz found high levels of mercury and estrogen in the fish caught in the three rivers.

His research team also found fish that had neither male nor female reproductive organs.

The researchers will chart the spots they believe are polluted and then next spring they will begin studying fish caught in those areas.