THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region I warned against catching and selling of tilapia from the reservoir of the San Roque Dam, after it recently failed a fish tissue test due to high arsenic levels found.

It stemmed from a toxicity analysis requested by the San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC) to the BFAR from March to June 2022.

Analysis results showed that tilapia specimen gathered were found to have arsenic content ranging from 3 to 26 ppm, depending on the size and are unfit for human consumption.

Tommy Valdez, vice president for corporate social responsibility of the SRPC, said the standard arsenic content from tilapia should only be at two parts per million (ppm), as per the European Commission (EC) Regulation 1881/2006.

Arsenic, while a naturally-occurring element, is dangerous once consumed in high-levels. The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) says chronic arsenic poisoning is attributed to death, and linked to increased risks of a wide variety of cancer.

The tilapia found at the San Roque Dam reservoir are high in demand, as they are big – about the size of a normal hollow concrete block (HCB) and chunky, making it a good source of income for residents in the area.

The SRPC is also monitoring the arsenic level in water quality, sediment quality, and fish tissues. All, save for the fish tissues, passed the analyses.

Valdez added the SRPC is set to do more search with BFAR on whether the arsenic found in the area is organic or inorganic.

“Arsenic is usually found in seafoods, but do not bioaccumulate in our system”, said Valdez.

No arsenic-related deaths or illness have yet been confirmed from residents in the area as of writing.

Meanwhile, Valdez said farmers have nothing to worry about, despite high levels of arsenic in tilapias found in the reservoir.

The San Roque Dam provides irrigation for about 32,000 hectares of farmlands in 14 towns and cities in the province of Pangasinan. (Ahikam Pasion)

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