CA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

Los Vaqueros Reservoir Fish Advisory Offers Safe-Eating Advice for Six Species

CA OEHHA issued a new fish consumption advisory for Los Vaqueros Reservoir, located 30 miles east of Oakland in Contra Costa County, providing safe-eating advice for six species: black bass species, Mississippi Silverside, Rainbow Trout, Sacramento Sucker, sculpin species, and Threadfin Shad. The advisory is based on mercury levels found in fish from historic mining and coal burning. Recommendations are tailored to two groups based on sex and age: women aged 18-49 and children aged 1-17 face stricter limits, including an instruction not to eat black bass species, while women 50+ and men 18+ have higher serving allowances.

Landmark Study Finds Crumb Rubber in Synthetic Turf Poses No Significant Cancer Risk

OEHHA released a landmark study on March 5, 2026, finding that recycled tires used as crumb rubber infill in synthetic turf fields pose no significant risk of cancer or other health problems to players, coaches, referees, or spectators. The comprehensive study tested 35 synthetic turf fields across all California climate regions, coordinated with Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, UC Berkeley, and University of Arizona, and surveyed over 1,000 soccer players ages 7 to 71 to assess exposure through skin contact, breathing, and ingestion. OEHHA found no acute risk to any group tested, including toddlers who might crawl on fields, with negligible risk for sensory irritation, cancer, or reproductive harm.

Mercury Fish Advisory Los Vaqueros Reservoir Contra Costa County

CA OEHHA issued a mercury fish consumption advisory for Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Contra Costa County, California, recommending serving limits for six fish species based on mercury content. Women ages 18-49 and children ages 1-17 are advised to limit Black Bass consumption to zero servings per week (DO NOT EAT), while Rainbow Trout, Mississippi Silverside, and Sculpin allow up to 7 servings weekly. The advisory includes separate recommendations for women 50+ and men 18+, who may consume Black Bass once per week. Posters, fact sheets, and detailed reports are available for download in English and Spanish.