The McKean County Conservation District and Penn State Cooperative Extension are sponsoring a special presentation by Dr. Conrad Volz, scientific director of the Center for Healthy Environments and Communities, on April 7 in Bradford, Pa.

The event will start at 6:00 p.m. at the Rice Auditorium, in Room 107 of Fisher Hall at UPB in Bradford.

Dr. Conrad Volz will give a presentation entitled, “Estrogenicity Levels in Three Rivers Fish are Correlated with High Densities of Sewer Overflows”

Dr. Volz’s research last year revealed high levels of mercury and selenium in channel catfish at Kittaning and high levels of estrogen in fish in the Allegheny River near Pittsburgh. Dr. Volz is studying the effect of sewage in the river and the presence of estrogen, antibiotics, and other material.

Dr. Volz said human waste containing drugs for hormone replacement therapy and birth control is getting into the river, as are estrogen-mimicking chemicals such as laundry detergents and plastics. “We know these chemicals are having an effect on fish,” he said. “There’s an increase in the level of estrogen in their bodies, and many male fish are developing eggs in their testes.”

Local Extension Educator, Jim Clark, and McKean Conservation District Watershed Specialist, Heather McKean, are very interested in Volz’s work. They have met with Dr. Volz and have offered to arrange a “control site” for his study in McKean County. To register for the April 7 presentation at UPB, please contact the Penn State Extension Office in Smethport at 814-887-5613.

3/28/2008