KING COUNTY, WA - Seattle and King County joins with the Washington State Department of Health in cautioning shellfish harvesters that all Puget Sound beaches in Seattle-King County -- except some on Vashon Island -- remain under a Health Advisory for shellfish harvesting. Eating these shellfish may cause illness.
"The shellfish that are commercially raised and harvested are safe," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "People need to be very careful, however, when digging their own shellfish. Contact the Public Health Department to make sure that the beach you are digging on is safe."
Although shellfish may look, taste, and smell healthy, frequent consumption of shellfish from urban beaches may cause illness or be harmful to people due to the pollutants absorbed by the shellfish. Over the years, chronically high levels of chemicals from industry and urban development have accumulated in the sediments and have made the shellfish dangerous to eat. Frequent eating of chemically contaminated shellfish increases the risk of cancer. In addition, the sewer and stormwater outfalls and marinas in urban areas sometimes pollute the water with bacteria and viruses, causing contamination of shellfish.
Symptoms associated with eating contaminated shellfish include mild to severe stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting or fever after eating contaminated shellfish.
PSP (also known as "red tide") is another concern for those digging shellfish. Red Tide occurs naturally, unpredictably, and on any beach. It can cause mild to severe illness. People eating shellfish contaminated with PSP will notice symptoms within an hour or two. Symptoms start with numbness and tingling in the lips and tongue and can progress to respiratory paralysis. If symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately.
For more information:
- Call Public Health - Seattle & King County at (206) 205-4394 to obtain the booklet, Public Shellfish Sites of Puget Sound.
- Click here to obtain the most current information on "red tide" conditions, or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.
Public Health - Seattle & King County coordinates with the Washington State Department of Health to monitor beaches for PSP and urban pollution. It provides health risk information to the public regarding shellfish harvesting in Seattle and King County.
