3M chemicals in Mississippi prompt new fish advisory

Levels of a chemical contaminant in the Mississippi River have prompted state health officials to issue a new warning about eating fish from the river.

Researchers for the state and 3M found high enough levels of the Perfluorochemical compound PFOS in fish in a stretch of river in the south Twin Cities metro area to issue new advice for eating bluegill sunfish. Releases of PFOS came from the Scotchgard manufacturing operations at 3M's Cottage Grove plant, where the product was made for nearly 50 years.

The new recommendations advise against eating more than one meal of bluegill sunfish a week from "Pool 2" of the Mississippi River between the Hastings Dam and Ford Dam in Saint Paul.

Department of Health Research Scientist Pat McCann told Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Crann it's too early to know if PFOS has affected fish in other parts of the river as well.