Yes, we all know that we are what we eat. But, did you know that the reverse is also true: we eat, what we are. Let me explain. If we are people who have over-developed communities such that too much sewage is being discharged into water bodies, than we will eat sick fish. And if we are people who don't engage in the most efficient farm managing practices, so that too much animal waste and fertilizer is run off into large bodies of water, then we will eat fish that have become sickened as a result of our dirty practices.

Take for example what has happened over the past few years to the Chesapeake Bay and other bodies of water in the southeast. It appears that these waters have become inundated with an ancient microorganism called Pfiesteria. And toxins which are released by this free floating, single celled organism have caused skin lesions on fish. In high concentrations, they can kill fish.

In fact, some reports indicate that more than one billion fish were killed by Pfiesteria in North Carolina alone since 1991. There were also major fish kills in the Chesapeake Bay, where mostly menhaden were affected.

In 1997, the following rivers were closed because of Pfiesteria outbreaks: the Choptank River, the Cicamacomico River, the Manokin River, the Pocomoke River, the Rappahannock River and the Patuxent River. The single cell animal has been found as far north as the Delaware Bay all the way down to Florida. Clearly, this is a very real and significant problem.

Many published reports have linked nutrient enrichment sources, such as pig and chicken manure from farm operations, to the proliferation of the Pfiesteria. Thus, one approach for addressing the problem might be to reduce, or better manage, the introduction of these nutrients into the water bodies.

I had the privilege of asking Andrew S. Kane, Ph.D. some questions about this problem. He is an Associate Director of the Aquatic Pathobiology Center at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. He advises that to his knowledge, the problem is not currently under control. However, he stated that there are studies underway which are evaluating the relationship between environmental conditions, such as the agricultural practices discussed above, and the Pfiesteria. According to Dr. Kane, there may be legislative attempts to better control the introduction of these nutrients into the Chesapeake Bay.

This is not the first time that we have heard of environmental problems caused by poorly managed farm practices. For example, some large pig producing states have recently enacted laws, or proposed legislation, to curb problems relating to manure contaminated water runoff. Surface water bodies, as well as drinking water sources, have been affected by such poor practices.

Pfiesteria apparently affects humans as well as fish. A report in The Lancet medical journal stated that there was evidence some fishermen and other workers were also made ill as a result of direct contact with Pfiesteria-contaminated water. Memory and learning problems were reported, and some also suffered from skin sores. In each case, the problem diminished over a period of months. You should note that these people apparently were not made sick from eating sick fish. Rather, they apparently had direct contact with the affected water.

At this time, it appears that scientists are not sure that Pfiesteria actually made these people ill. Evidence suggests that it did, but I do not believe that this is considered to be conclusive. If you want further information, you should contact your local health department, your state health department, or your state environmental regulatory agency.

Now that it is summer time and we are all enjoying our green lawns, remember that fertilizer and pesticide runoff, which goes into the street and then into storm drains, ultimately pollutes streams, lakes, ponds, and oceans. When that happens, all aquatic life is placed in harm's way. And when we fish those waters, we too fall in harm's way.

Homeowners and farmers need to gain better control over the use and depositing of fertilizers, pesticides and animal waste. Run-off must be reduced by careful application and proper, safe disposal. Otherwise, it all goes into the water and makes everything and everyone sick. After all, we are what we eat -- and we eat what we are.

Also See: Neighborhoods Across The U.S. Wrestle With Disease Clusters