Kepone Trends in James River Fishes

Average Kepone levels in striped bass (blue circles) and white perch (orange circles) from the James River. Average levels in striped bass have measured below the FDA's action limit for human consumption (0.3 parts per million) consistently since 1987, though maximum levels for individual fish (upper blue bars) exceeded the action limit as late as 1995. Average levels in white perch have measured below the FDA action limit consistently since 1985, though maximum levels for individual fish (upper orange bars) exceeded the action limit as late as 1994. VIMS researchers call for additional monitoring by 2025 to verify if the downward trends continue, and warn that localized monitoring may be needed sooner if dredging or other activities disturb the contaminated river-bottom sediments where most Kepone now lies. Learn more.