SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- South Korean maritime and fisheries' authorities said on Thursday the carcinogen malachite green has been detected at 36 fish farms across the country.
According to a news release of the South Korean Ministry of Maritime and Affairs and Fisheries, malachite green has been found in domestic inland trout and leather carp farms in eight regions nationwide.
The revelation followed an inspection of fresh and salt water fish farms nationwide from Sept. 15 to Oct. 3 by the National Fisheries Products Quality Inspection Service.
It is the first time that the synthetic antibacterial substance has been found at South Korean fish farms, the ministry added.
The use of malachite green in the aquaculture industry has been banned worldwide after it was determined to be a cause of cancer. The chemical material is also used as a pharmaceutical for aquarium fish as well as a fabric dye.
The amount of malachite green detected at the farms ranged from 0.1 parts per million (ppm) to 3 ppm. Thirty-five of the 36 farms investigated were found to have trout contaminated with the substance while the remaining one had leather carp laced with the toxin.
The result of the investigation prompted the ministry to take a measure to stop all shipments from 296 trout farms and 140 leather carp farms in 11 regions nationwide.
The ministry also established a task force, headed by deputy minister Choi Jang-hyun, to handle the situation and increase inspections, according to the release.
The ministry also decided to conduct inspection on all the fish farms in the country. Enditem
|
