Study planned on fish-eating habits in Idaho

BOISE (AP) - The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality plans to conduct a fish-consumption survey.

Agency spokesman Don Essig said the study will look at the general population and those who hold Idaho fishing licenses.

The agency hopes to find out the eating habits of Idaho residents when it comes to trout, bass and other fish.

Officials said fish-consumption rates are important to water quality regulators who use the information to calculate pollution standards intended to protect human health.

Authorities said the standards should be stronger if people eat more fish. The current standard in Idaho and Washington state is based on a consumption rate of 6.5 grams per day per person.

The Environmental Protection Agency said that consumption rate is out of date.

"The thinking is they may be eating more fish," Essig said.

The EPA in 2012 rejected Idaho's revised human health criteria for 88 toxic chemicals. The agency said it preferred Idaho to update the standards, but the EPA would do it if the state didn't. Officials at the state Department of Environmental Quality persuaded lawmakers to spend $300,000 so the state could do the study.