An Associated Press article today reports that research scientist Vicki S. Blazer with the US Geological Survey has discovered developed eggs inside the sex organs of nine male smallmouth bass taken from the Potomac River near Sharpsburg, MD. The Potomac supplies drinking water for the Washington metropolitan area and upstream communities.

The abnormality is likely caused by the presence of minute amounts of chemicals known as endocrine disruptors, which can block, mimic, or alter normal hormone functioning. Estrogenic substances, such as those excreted into the sewer systems by humans or generated from animal operations, may be responsible.

Similar findings in Hardy County, West Virginia, had previously been found last year following a rash of fish deaths. The increased estrogenic activity may also be related to the higher cancer rates in Hardy County, since some cancers grow faster n the presence of estrogen.

Gina Solomon, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, was quoted as saying, “It’s not good news that there’s something that feminizes male fish in your water.”

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