Sport fishermen over the age of 50 are being asked to take part in a health study. The state Department of Health is asking older men to help determine how people respond to fish consumption advisories.
The study began this summer. This week health officials are in Sheboygan and Green Bay. They’re asking fishermen over the age of fifty to give hair and blood samples.
Dr. Henry Anderson is the state health officer. He says much attention has been given to fish consumption on the part of women and children. Now attention is turning to the men who are most likely to be the ones doing the fishing, “So what this particular project is to focus learning more about these men over age 50, where they fish what they know about the advisories, how they cook and eat their fish. And learn what the level of contamination in the blood is.”
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Anderson says the study is focused on pollutants like mercury or PCB’s, “Some of the research that’s been done elsewhere have found that individuals who are older are at higher risk of heart attacks and things like that. So part of the target is individuals are at greater risk of heart disease.”
People who take part in the study are paid $35. Results will first be given to participants then a report will be issued next year.
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