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I had the same question and this is the answer I received from the Virginia Department of Health:

Although there are no current emergency closures at this time for the James River there are current condemnation for the James and its tributaries that exist. Emergency closures are reserved for events such as heavy rainfall, sewage/sewer bypasses and other temporary events that can effect water quality. The current condemnations can be found on the web page and are accompanied by maps.

(http://www.vdh.Virginia.gov/EnvironmentalHealth/Shellfish/closureSurvey/index.htm)

Current condemnations are based on bacteria (fecal coliform )levels in the water samples. We do send clam samples to the state lab couple times a year for heavy metal testing but do not do this routinely. Clams would be considered safe from any area that is currently open by the VMRC and that is not in a condemned area. There is always a risk in eating shellfish,even from open areas, if eaten raw or undercooked.

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12y ago
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Q: Are clams good to eat from the James river?
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