The latest pollutant identified in fish samples taken from the Dan, Hyco and Roanoke rivers is brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs).
BDEs are used as flame retardants in various industries.
The fish samples were taken on the Dan River at South Boston and from the Hyco River, east of the Dan.
The Health Department has concluded that, based on current knowledge, "the fish advisories in place for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) also would protect public health for BDEs," according to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) press release issued Wednesday.
PCBs and BDEs are chemically similar, and the BDE concentrations in fish from the Roanoke and Dan rivers are generally below those for PCBs.
DEQ is continuing its analysis of fish tissue from the Roanoke and Dan rivers, and will conduct additional monitoring in the Hyco and nearby tributaries to help determine the extent and levels of contamination. DEQ's investigation also will include looking for possible sources of BDEs.
Many Staunton River advocates heard the BDE alert for the first time Wednesday night during a meeting called by the Department of Environmental Quality in Gretna.
"I think this is a signal to the area that we need to do more for the river," Tom Stutts, a member of the Staunton River Citizens Advisory Committee, said yesterday.
Virginia has formed a task force of state and federal agencies to evaluate recent reports about pollutants in fish from the area of the Roanoke and Dan rivers, DEQ Director Dennis H. Treacy announced Wednesday.
DEQ also outlined plans for additional river monitoring and steps for identifying possible sources of the pollutants.
The task force includes DEQ, the Department of Health, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"We believe it is important for Virginians to have current information on the condition of our rivers," Treacy said. "We will work closely with the other members of the task force to expand our knowledge of these pollutants, and we will make the results of our investigation available as quickly as possible."
As part of DEQ's ongoing investigation of PCB contamination in the Roanoke and Dan rivers, fish collected since 1998 also have been analyzed for BDEs, DDT and chlordane. DEQ has made the results for all of these contaminants available on its web site and at local public libraries.
Visit the DEQ web site at www.deq.state.va.us for additional information.

Supervisors unanimously approved the finance committee's recommendation Tuesday night that a $43,382,172 school budget be advertised for public hearing on April 20.
A budget figure may be lowered but not increased following a public hearing, several supervisors noted prior to the vote.
The school system's proposed budget calls for $13,299,661 in county funds, but the county's proposed budget allocates only $12,910,601, resulting in a $389,000 gap in local funding.
The April 20 public hearing on the school budget will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
A school budget must be adopted by May 1, but the county's overall budget faces a June 30 deadline.
In addition to county funding, school officials' proposed budget reflects $25,016,085 in state revenue, $3,961,426 in federal funding and $1,105,000 from other sources for total revenues of $43,382,172.
Supervisors also met in closed session Tuesday night to discuss applications for the county administrator's post. No action was taken.
In other action, supervisors declined a request to allocate county funds for the Post-Prom Party, but encouraged private contributions.

South Boston insurance agent Timothy Fadool was found guilty of negligence at a trial in 10th District Circuit Court in Halifax on Tuesday.
Inez Chandler of South Boston, through Richmond attorney William Bayliss, brought the charges against Fadool.
According to evidence presented at trial, Fadool, then an agent with Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Co., called Chandler in 1993 with a plan to help her earn tax-free income and a greater return on her investments.
Starting in 1993, Fadool transferred amounts in excess of $290,000 from Chandler's various investments which were liquidated by her for his use.
Fadool then purchased two long-term annuities, not tax-free investments, that paid out over a period of 16 years.
This was past the life expectancy of Chandler, who was 78 years old in 1993.
According to further evidence, Chandler incurred tax consequences when she closed her mutual funds and other investments to obtain money for Fadool to invest.
Fadool took the money and invested it with Guarantee Trust Life, earning a significant commission in the process.
The prosecution in the case said that Chandler relied upon the advice and expertise of Fadool and was damaged as a result.
The jury awarded Chandler damages of $400,000.

Virginia Tech is seeking some $6 million to $12 million in tobacco monies for a new bioinformatics institute in Blacksburg, a move that concerns Del. W.W. "Ted" Bennett.
Bennett and other Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission members are meeting at Tech today to hear the university's pitch.
"Virginia Tech is pressing the commission members to allocate out of this year's $17 million that we have for economic development in Southside and Southwest Virginia," Del. W.W. "Ted" Bennett said yesterday.
The institute, which was not funded by the General Assembly, would be located in Blacksburg and would create some 200 jobs over the next three to five years, according to the delegate.
Bennett is worried about tobacco- dependent communities.
"We have not heard from 90 percent of the counties and small towns in Southside and Southwest," he said.
"We need to hear from those before we decide on anything. We don't know that these funds they (Virginia Tech) are after are certain at all."
In Halifax County, Bennett said the greatest immediate need is for an industrial park.
"We have no land to sell any industrial prospect or recruit," he emphasized. "We have no money to improve any land."
Bennett, who recently met with Mark Kilduff, the state's chief industrial recruiter, made similar observations.
"He said we have no product, no land, no place to sell to any industry. He's correct. And we don't have county money to acquire or develop it," added Bennett.
"The commission is the only place our localities have to turn. All of our localities have been preparing for over a year to make presentations to the commission to try to get funding to help in meeting these needs, and they have got to be met first, in my judgment," Bennett said.

By PHILIP BRASHER
AP Farm Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Farmers are in a line to get their third big bailout from Congress in as many years, with most of the money arriving in the thick of this fall's political campaigns, under a budget agreement between House and Senate negotiators.
The deal reached Wednesday provides $5.5 billion that would be paid to farmers by Oct. 1, with an additional $1.64 billion to go out later.
''It's important to understand that there's a crisis in rural America, even while the rest of the economy's been growing,'' said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. ''Depressed markets have left our farmers with the lowest prices in 25 years.''
The money is included in a $1.8 trillion spending plan that will frame government spending for the 2001 budget year.
None of the farm payments can be made until Congress passes  legislation necessary to release the money.
Lawmakers still must decide exactly how the aid is to be spent but $5.5 billion is likely to be used for direct payments to farmers who grow grain and cotton and have ''market-transition'' contracts with the government, with the remaining money going to producers of other commodities, congressional aides said.
Congress has provided $15 billion in special assistance to farmers over the past two years, including $8.7 billion in 1999, to compensate them for low commodity prices as well as weather-related crop failures.
Because of the continuing slump in commodity prices, the  Agriculture Department predicts net farm income this year would drop $7.6 billion, or 16 percent, without another aid package from Congress.
The Clinton administration has proposed $4.2 billion in farm income assistance, with most of the money going to a new subsidy program that Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman wants to create.
In addition to the bailout money, the congressional budget agreement authorizes an additional $8.2 billion in spending over five years to expand the federally subsidized crop insurance system and cut the premiums that farmers pay.
The House and Senate were expected to vote on the budget agreement as early as today.
Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said the $7.1 billion agreed to Wednesday isn't enough.
''It's very clear that we're going to have to get another disaster bill of the magnitude of what we had last year to avert some very, very serious farm losses,'' he said.
Congress is likely to provide additional assistance for farmers who lose crops to drought or flooding this year, but it is too soon to know how much will be needed, said Pat Wolff, a spokeswoman for the American Farm Bureau Federation.
A drought has been developing over a section of the Midwest stretching from Nebraska to Illinois.
The negotiators split the difference between what the Senate and House had put in their versions of the budget plan for farmers. The Senate had approved $8.5 billion, while the House wanted $6 billion.
''We're certainly pleased that Congress recognizes that there's a need to provide additional assistance to troubled farmers and ranchers,'' Wolff said.
It is virtually certain that Congress won't make any changes in the 1996 farm law, as Democrats have proposed.
The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Texas Republican Larry Combest, said there ''was no consensus'' among farmers to ''scrap the current farm policy.'' His committee has been holding a series of hearings around the country.

Fifth District Independent Congressman Virgil Goode is picking up support in the Democratic Party he departed three months ago.
Del. Barney Day of Patrick County, Halifax Del. W.W. "Ted" Bennett and Del. Ward Armstrong of Henry County said they hoped Goode got elected to a third term, according to a report in the Danville Register & Bee on Thursday.
However, Bennett would not affirm or deny the report in the newspaper when contacted yesterday.
"Virgil is a good friend," was Bennett's only comment.
Goode welcomed support from former Democratic colleagues.
"I was pleased by the supportive words of Ted, Barney and Ward," Goode said in a telephone interview late yesterday afternoon.
Still, the Independent Goode is taking nothing for granted.
"Any election is going to be a hard-fought election," he said. "We will have to wait and see who the Democrats put up."
Two Democrats are currently vying for the 5th District nomination, John Boyd and Allen Hale.
Boyd, a Mecklenburg County resident, is the former head of the National Black Farmer's Association. Hale, a bookstore owner, leads the Nelson County Democratic Party.
In addition to Bennett, Armstrong and Day, a Media General News Service report said Danville Del. Whitt Clement and state Sen. Roscoe Reynolds, both Democrats, indicated they would not support a candidate trying to unseat Goode.
Since exiting the Democratic Party, Goode has appeared in support of U.S. Senate candidate George Allen and presidential candidate George W. Bush. Goode is also caucusing with Republicans in Congress.
Both Hale and Boyd have expressed hope that Democratic nominees will support the Democratic candidate in the election.
Democrats will hold caucuses this week and next for delegates to the May 20 district convention. The 5th District congressional nominee will be chosen at that convention.

The top spot in the Western District baseball title race will be on the line tonight when Halifax County squares off against Albemarle in Charlottesville.
Tonight's game at 6 p.m. at Albemarle High School will pit the district's two undefeated teams against each other.
And, most importantly, the winner of this game will gain a big leg up in the district title race.
"This is big," Comets coach Kelvin Davis said.
"Anytime you can get up 2-0 in the Western District it's big. It will really help you later on."
Davis' Comets are riding the crest of a big wave of momentum as they head into tonight's district showdown.
The Comets are a perfect 7-0 for the season, their latest triumph being a 22-0 shelling of Patrick Henry in Roanoke earlier this week.
They have won their only district contest, beating a scrappy E.C. Glass team in Lynchburg 8-2 last Friday night.
"The guys have a lot of momentum going into this game," Davis said.
"Mentally, that's going to help."
Albemarle, on the other hand, has lost three games. However, they have knocked off both E.C. Glass and GW and are 2-0 in district play.
Davis expects tonight's contest to be one of the toughest, if not the toughest game his team will face this season.
"Albemarle is tough," Davis said.
Albemarle has always had a strong baseball program. The entire Western District is tough. The Western District is one of the toughest districts in the state in baseball."
Davis and the Comets are expected to see one of the district's top hurlers tonight, Thomas Martin.
Martin, a lefthander, gave district teams a fit last season. And, Davis says, Martin has apparently stepped up his game from a year ago.
"He is an extremely talented young pitcher," Davis said.
"I understand he's already signed to with the University of Richmond. So, you'd have to expect he's pretty good."
Davis said his scouting reports revealed that Martin appears to be a pitcher that gets progressively stronger during the game.
"The key is how well we can jump on him early," Davis said.
"We have to be aggressive with the bats early in the game. We need to score some runs early. Hopefully, if we can get to him early, we can do some things that will take him out of his rhythm."
Davis feels his team can do that.
The Comets have been swinging the bats well of late with the team scoring in double figures in four of their last five games.
Halifax County's lowest run total in the last five games has been eight.
"The team batting average is pretty high," Davis said.
"And, we've got a couple of guys that have been in a little slump are coming out of it."
Davis says he will put Michael Priest on the hill tonight. And he added he is confident that Priest can get the job done.
"He's not going to give up a lot of runs," Davis noted.

"The big thing is we've got to play good defense behind Michael. We've got to make the basic fundamental defensive plays. We can't afford make mental mistakes and allow Albemarle to get up on us."

Frank Wayne Crews, age 51, of 4260 Banister Road Chatham, died April 9, 2000, at the Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Crews was born October 30, l948, in Pittsylvania County, the son of Percy Frank Crews and Mildred Adkins Crews.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra Faye Chitwood Crews of the residence; one daughter, Melissa C. Rigney of Chatham; two sons, Donald Crews and Roger Crews, both of Danville; three step sons, Jonathan Moore, Ashley Moore and Travis Moore, all of Rocky Mt.; his mother of Chatham; one sister, Deborah Ann C. Hammock of Danville; two brothers, James Ricky Crews and Kenneth L. Crews, both of Chatham; four grandchildren and one step grandchild.

Funeral services were conducted April 12, at 2:00 p.m. from the Scott Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Hollis Harris. Interment was in Hillcrest Burial Park in Chatham.

Rebecca Dalton Short, age 69, of Stagecoach Road, Cody, died April 12, 2000, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Short was born in Halifax County on November 13, 1930, the daughter or Robert (Bob) Lee Dalton and Lucille Clay Dalton and was married to Bennett Owen Short. She was a member of Mulberry Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, Ricky Owen Short of Cody; three brothers, J.W. Dalton of Gladys, Bobby Dalton of Blairs and Charlie C. Dalton of Lynchburg; and two sisters, Minnie D. Waller of South Boston and Bernice D. Thompson of South Boston.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. today, April 14 at Mulberry Baptist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Richard Saunders.

Clevie Watts Cole, age 76, of 2108 East Hyco Road, South Boston, died April 11, 2000, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Cole was born in Halifax County on March 7, 1924, the daughter of James Watts and Bertha Watts and was married to Howard Cole. She was a member of Cherry Hill United Methodist Church and was a retiree of The Woodview.
Survivors include two sons, Cecil Puryear of Clarksville and Keenan Cole of South Boston; two sisters, Bertha Davis of Richmond and Cecelia Wilmouth of Scottsburg; one brother, Harvey Watts of South Boston; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one son, Harvey T. Cole.

Funeral services for Mrs. Cole were held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel April 13 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Jack Stewart conducting the service. Burial was in Halifax Memorial Gardens.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Brookneal Rescue Squad or Childrey Baptist Church.

Carl Dean Snead Sr., age 66, of 1003 Belt Boulevard, South Boston, died April 11, 2000, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Snead was born in Halifax County on June 6, 1933, the son of John Snead and Elizabeth Weatherford Snead and was married to Shirley Wilmouth Snead. He was a member of Fork Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; two sons and daughters-in-law, John G. Snead Sr. and wife, Vickie of Virgilina and Carl Dean Snead Jr. and wife, Donna of Oxford, N.C.; seven grandchildren, John G. Snead Jr. and Robert Jason Snead, both of Virgilina; Dirik Allen Snead of South Boston, Samuel Ray Snead and Jonathan Dale Snead, both of Timberlake, N.C., Samantha Dawn Oakley of Oxford and Danny Ray Oakley of Henderson, N.C.; and one great-grandchild, Savannah K. Oakley of Henderson.
Funeral services for Mr. Snead will be held today, April 14 at 2 p.m. at Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Rudolph Jacobs conducting the service. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Rescue Squad, the Halifax County Cancer Association or a charity of choice.

Algie Davis Sr., age 83, of 1096 Garrett's Trail, Clover, died April 12, 2000, at his home.
Mr. Davis was born in Charlotte County on November 15, 1916, the son of Allen Davis and Josephine Miles Davis and was married to Alice Wilborne Davis. He was a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held April 17 at 2 p.m. at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Saxe with the Rev. James Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mr. Davis is survived by his wife; two daughters, Esther Richardson of Clover and Myrtle Traynham of Halifax; four sons, Algie Davis Jr., Herbert Davis and Clinton Davis, all of Richmond and Roy Ferrell of Randolph.
The family will receive friends at the home.

Lynn Lee Palmer, age 59, of Arlington, formerly of Halifax County, died at his home recently.
Mr. Palmer was born in Halifax County on July 21, 1940, the son of Linia Palmer. He was a member of Sunflower Baptist Church.
Survivors include one sister, Elizabeth Birch of South Boston; two brothers, June Palmer of Volens and Pride Palmer of Gladys; and a devoted friend, Dora Hill of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mr. Palmer will be held April 16 at 2 p.m. at Sunflower Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Tucker officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Nettie Sydnor, 1132 Lower Liberty Road, Nathalie.