Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1998-04-10

Duration: 00:09:41

Subjects: Environment | Water pollution | Fisheries | Mercury | Public health

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Baker, Diana Reporter
• Charbonet, Robert Interviewee
• Johnson, Louis Interviewee
• Wood, Maura Interviewee
• Penn, Hugh Interviewee
• Bagert, Barry Interviewee

This segment from the April 10, 1998, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Diana Baker’s report on the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) recent release of fish advisories in 14 Louisiana waterways due to concerns about high mercury levels. Baker reports that the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is offering free blood tests to people at risk for mercury poisoning due to their high consumption of fish from Louisiana waterways. She interviews: Robert Charbonet, swamp tour guide; Louis Johnson, DEQ water quality manager; Maura Wood, Sierra Club; Hugh Penn, environmental attorney; and Barry Bagert, St. Tammany Parish police juror and swamp tour operator. Host: Robert Collins