Press Releases

Several studies have shown links between exposure to air pollution or traffic and low birth weight, premature birth and birth defects. Researchers examining health-care data on nearly 5,000 pregnant women in California found that African-Americans were about three times more likely to miscarry if they lived within a half-block of a freeway or busy boulevard than if they resided near lighter traffic.

Draft public health goal for hexavalent chromium in drinking water and announcement of public comment period and workshop.

This 2009 report identifies 27 indicators that measure the impact of climate change on the state’s temperatures, precipitation, land, water, people, plants, and animals. It concludes that changes in California are consistent with those occurring globally. The report is a meta-analysis of existing research.

OEHHA released updated fish advisories and safe eating guidelines for fish from dozens of California rivers, lakes and other water bodies.  The updated guidelines provide information to help consumers avoid health risks and choose the safest fish to eat.

The fish advisory guidelines provide information to help consumers choose the safest fish to eat. They also recommend how often fish can be eaten to promote health benefits and avoid health risks for fish caught from San Pablo Reservoir in Contra Costa County.

OEHHA releases information to fish consumers to help them choose the safest fish to eat from Lake Natoma in Sacramento County and Folsom Lake in Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties. The guidelines recommend how often these fish can be eaten to maximize their health benefits while minimizing the health risks from mercury contamination.

Draft report and guidelines provide information to fish consumers to help them choose the safest fish to eat from the Sacramento River and Northern Delta.  They also recommend how often these fish can be eaten to maximize their health benefits, while minimizing the health risks from mercury contamination.

Tests of mussels collected from Berkeley Marina and Rodeo Beach show no elevated health risk due to contamination in the area affected by the Cosco Busan oil spill. The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has withdrawn warnings to avoid eating mussels from those two sites and five additional Bay Area locations.

Avoid eating fish caught from the San Francisco Bay oil spill area while the State is evaluating its safety and follow safety guidelines in returning to reopened Bay Area beaches, say State public health officials who are testing fish for chemical contamination.

OEHHA has released draft “safe eating guidelines” for sport fish in the San Joaquin River Delta and the San Joaquin River extending upstream to Friant Dam (Fresno County). Several species of bass and sturgeon in those water bodies may contain elevated levels of mercury.