Toxic Contaminants

Goal

Ensure that the Bay and its rivers are free of effects of toxic contaminants on living resources and human health.

Importance

Toxic contaminants harm fish and wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay and pose risks to human health that limit the amount of fish people can consume. Reducing the impacts of toxic contaminants is critical to improving the health of fish and wildlife, thereby improving their recreational value for the public.

Outcomes

Toxic Contaminants Research

In 2012, close to 74 percent of the tidal water segments of the Chesapeake Bay were fully or partially impaired by toxic contaminants. These contaminants include pesticides, pharmaceuticals, metals and more, and can harm the health of both humans and wildlife. Improving our understanding of these contaminants will help us reduce their impacts, thus improving the health and value of living resources.

Outcome: Continually increase our understanding of the impacts and mitigation options for toxic contaminants. Develop a research agenda and further characterize the occurrence, concentrations, sources and effects of mercury, PCBs and other contaminants of emerging and widespread concern. In addition, identify which best management practices might provide multiple benefits of reducing nutrient and sediment pollution as well as toxic contaminants in waterways.

Lead Goal Implementation Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)

Lead Workgroup: Toxic Contaminants Workgroup

Contact: Greg Allen (410) 267-5746

Management Strategy: Toxics Research Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: 2018-2019 Toxics Research Work Plan (pdf)

Track Progress

Toxic Contaminants Policy and Prevention

In 2012, close to 74 percent of the tidal water segments of the Chesapeake Bay were fully or partially impaired by toxic contaminants. These contaminants include pesticides, pharmaceuticals, metals and more, and can harm the health of both humans and wildlife. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, have posed a particular problem: the contaminant can accumulate in fish tissue and limit the amount of regional fish that can be consumed. Reducing the impacts of these contaminants will improve the health and value of living resources.

Outcome: Continually improve practices and controls that reduce and prevent the effects of toxic contaminants below levels that harm aquatic systems and humans. Build on existing programs to reduce the amount and effects of PCBs in the Bay and watershed. Use research findings to evaluate the implementation of additional policies, programs and practices for other contaminants that need to be further reduced or eliminated.

Lead Goal Implementation Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)

Lead Workgroup: Toxic Contaminants Workgroup

Contact: Greg Allen (410) 267-5746

Management Strategy: Toxic Contaminants Policy and Prevention (pdf)

Work Plan: 2018-2019 Toxic Contaminants Policy and Prevention (pdf)

Track Progress