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Frequency of Fish Tumors Found in a Polluted Watershed as Compared to Nonpolluted Canadian Waters¹

Departments of Microbiology [E. R. B.], Obstetrics and Gynecology [L. K.], and Pathology [P. B.], The Chicago Medical School/University of Health Sciences, Chicago, Illinois 60612; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Illinois-Benedictine College, Lisle, Illinois 60532 [J. J. H.]; and Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, School of Medicine, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada [J. B. G. K.]

Data are presented on the incidence of tumors found in 2121 fish examined from the Fox River watershed (4.38%) as compared to 4639 fish examined in Canada (1.03%). The water systems were compared as to pollution potentials, and the Fox River was found to be a highly polluted system. Among the pollutants found were mercury, lead, arsenic, toluene, crude oil, gasoline, benzanthracene, chlorinated hydrocarbons, phosphates, sulfates, and coliform bacteria. Factors such as dissolved oxygen content, temperature, and nutritional variation were considered similar in both water systems. It is concluded that these pollutants were responsible for the greater frequency of tumors.

No attempts were made to determine the effects of pollution on the long-term human users of the water or to determine the virus contents of the water system under study. Plans are now being made to study the waters for fish viruses and, incidently, those enteric viruses that one might expect in a river system that is termed "a floating sewer."

¹ We are indebted to the following foundations for partial financial support: American Blood Research Foundation, W. C. and Jesse V. Stone Foundation, the Joel Elowe Foundation, the Blood Research Foundation, the Leukemia Research Foundation, the Orrin Kurzband Foundation, and the McGraw Foundation.

² To whom reprint requests should be directed, at Department of Microbiology, The Chicago Medical School, 2020 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 60612.

³ Deceased.

Received 7/31/72. Accepted 10/11/72.