BFAR-7 says shellfish from Cordova still safe

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has assured the public that benzo(a)pyrene, a toxic chemical compound, found by researchers from the University of the Philippines-Visayas in shellfish in Cordova town is not alarming because the specimen used in the research was taken in April yet.

BFAR said that eight months after the sea collision in Lauis Ledge off Talisay City there is no more indicator of pollution in the seawaters off Cordova town.

Doctor Allan Poquita, BFAR assistant director, said the research was based on the European Unit standard which is .01. But he said the Philippines does not have any standard.

Benzo(a)pyrene is not only found in shellfish but also in charcoal-grilled foods like barbeque.

“Mas taas pa gani og content ang barbeque kanang sinugbang isda or any sinugba nga directly gibutang sa baga unya wala butangi og foil,” Poquita said, adding that benzo(a)pyrene is carcinogenic.

Poquita said benzo(a)pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that  is not solely caused by oil spill. He said there are other chronic factors like the high acidity of soil.

“I don’t think kuyaw kan-on ang shellfish kay so far wala may na-report nga dunay nahilo o nagsuka-suka,” he said.

The International Tankers Owners Pollution Federation recently reported that shellfish in Cordova showed presence of the toxic chemical. The ITOPF is an international group that monitored the effects of the oil spill in Cordova.

Professor Ida Pahila of the UP-Visayas assessed the water, sediments and biological samples taken from the barangays in Cordova and found that the areas affected by the oil spill have petroleum hydrocarbons.

According to the US Agency for Toxic Substan-ces and Disease Registry, long-term exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons can affect the lungs, central nervous system, liver, kidney, and reproductive system.

The 2GO passenger ferry sank near Lauis Ledge off Talisay City when it colli-ded with the cargo ship M/V Sulpicio Express Siete of the Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation in August last year.  (FREEMAN)