Potomac Riverkeeper's Work on Endocrine Disruptors

  • Fall 2003- USGS fish pathologist Vicki Blazer first identifies intersex fish in the Potomac River.

  • Fall 2004- Riverkeeper Ed Merrifield works with Washington Post journalist David Fahrenthold to publish an article regarding intersex fish in the Potomac River. Read the article here.

  • July 2005- Shenandoah Riverkeeper Jeff Kelble lends his expertise as part of the Virginia Fish Kill Task Force to investigate chemical contaminants and bacterial infections in fish.

  • July 2006- Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine holds meeting at Shenandoah Riverkeeper Jeff Kelble's house to be briefed on fish kills and fish health issues. Commits to studying the problems.

  • Sept 2006- Riverkeeper Ed Merrifield again works with journalist David Fahrenthold to publish a front-page article regarding endocrine disruptors in the Washington Post. Read the article here.

  • October 2006-Riverkeeper Ed Merrifield testifies in front of House Committee on Government Reform on the threat of endocrine disruptors.

  • January 2008- Riverkeeper Ed Merrifield works in an advisory role for the award-winning documentary "Poisoned Waters", produced by Hedrick Smith, regarding the threat of endocrine disruptors in the Potomac River watershed.

  • November 2008 - USGS releases "Organic Compounds in Ptomac River Water used for Public Supply near Washington, DC, 2003-2005", 85 of 277 compounds were found at water intakes.

  • April 2009- USGS releases "Assessment of Endocrine Disruption in Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass in the Potomac River Watershed". One of the key findings was an estimate that somewhere between 83-100% of smallmouth bass in the Potomac are intersex. Download the detailed report here.

  • June 2010- Potomac Riverkeeper names Hedrick Smith, producer of the documentary “Poisoned Waters”, the 2010 Protector of the Potomac at that year’s River Gala.

  • July 2010: Study entitled "Mortality of Centrarchid Fishes in the Potomac Drainage: Survey Results and Overview of Potential Contributing Factors" released by renowned USGS scientist Vicki Blazer, Shenandoah Riverkeeper Jeff Kelble listed as co-author.

  • January 2011- Potomac Riverkeeper starts its "Pure Potomac" initiative to focus on drinking water quality, in particular endocrine disruptor issues. Pure Potomac’s webpage can be found here.

  • Spring 2011- Potomac Riverkeeper partners with George Washington University to begin work on cutting-edge endocrine disruptor research.

  • June 2011- Potomac Riverkeeper names Vicki Blazer the 2011 Protector of the Potomac at our 2011 River Gala. Read more about it here.

  • August 2011- USGS scientist Vicki Blazer releases "Reproductive Endocirne Disruption in Smallmouth Bass".

  • September 2011- American Fisheries Society awards its Paper of the Year honor to a report co-written by Vicki Blazer and Shenandoah Riverkeeper Jeff Kelble entitled “Mortality of Centrarchid Fishes in the Potomac Drainage: Survey Results and Overview of Potential Contributing Factors". Download the full paper here.

 

Currently, we are working with research partners on further understanding the health effects of endocrine disruptors in the Potomac, vigilantly monitoring the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers for further fish kills, and are building community awareness through the Pure Potomac outreach program. Find out how you can take action too.