N ational Listing of Fish Advisories EWSLETTER ^iff* June 2013 Fishermen age 50+ to take part in a fish con- sumption survey in Wisconsin The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is con- ducting an online survey of fishermen over the age of 50 to find out where they fish, what diey eat and where tiiey get in- formation about safe fish consumption. Men in this age group eat more sport-caught fish than aiiy other age group and may be exposed to higher levels of contamination than die general population. The DHS hopes to learn die best way to inform tins population on how to reduce tiieir exposure to environ- mental contaminants while they continue to include sport- caught fish in tiieir diet. The survey will be available tiirougli 2013 and so far, more than 2,500 fishermen have participated. To participate in die survey follow this link: https:// study.uwsc.wisc.edu/anglers/. More information on Wiscon- sin fish advisories can be found at: http://www.dlis. wisconsin.gov/eh/fish/. Link to original article: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/Hews/ PressReleases/2013/051413.htm fine consumption advisories issued by 1 )\'1\I'C, but re- searchers hope that incorporating genetic research into consumption advisories will allow advisory program man- agers to make more specific advisories that might allow consumption of some subpopulations of white perch. Link to original article: http://www.udfil.edu/iid2ttLy/2Q13/ may/white -p e rch-052813.html Recent Advisory News Source: Wisconsin Department of Health Services. May 14, 2013. Source: University of Delaware. Finding a Safe Perch. May 28, 2013. New genetic research on white perch in Del- aware Bay has implications for consumption advisories Researchers in the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment at die University of Delaware are using genetic techniques to identify distinct subpopulations of white perch in the Dela- ware Bay. It is thought that toxin levels may vary in these sub- populations depending on where diey travel. Their results have shown that population structure is geographically linked and by looking at the patterns and differences between the sam- ples, they may be able to infer migration pathways between groups of fish. Natural resource managers may be interested in knowing how fish differ in terms of toxicity. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) have issued fisli advisories that restrict consump- tion of all white perch caught near the Chesapeake and Dela- ware Canal. It is important to note that this work will not rede- Fish consumption advisories for Texas coastal waters The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and die Corpus Christi-Nueces County Health District have issued fish consumption advisories for fish caught in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. The advisories were is- sued after recent test results showed mercury levels of 0.7 mg/kg, which exceed die DSHS health guidelines. The advisory restarts all consumption for women of childbear- ing age and children under die age of 12 and makes meal recommendations for women past childbearing age and adult men, l or a map of the advisory area and more infor- mation on Texas fish advisories go to: http:// www.dshs.state.tx.us/seafood/. Link to original article: bttp://www.cctexas. com/news-c enter/heal th-district-reports-state-has-issued- fish-consumption-advisory-for-texas-coastal-waters Source: Corpus Christi-Nueces County Health District. May 10, 2013. ------- Recent Publications Please note: The following abstracts are reprinted verbatim un- less otherwise noted. Titles and citations (only) are listed for publications that are copyright protected. Relationship between mercury levels in hair and fish consumption in a population living near a hydroelectric tropical dam In the present study, total mercury (T-Hg) concentrations were assessed in human hair samples (n = 76) and fish muscle (n = 33) collected at Urra dam, upstream Sinu river, northwestern Colombia. Based on interviews with study participants, weekly intakes of total mercury (WIT-Hg) and methylmercury (WIMeHg) by fish consumption were also estimated. T-Hg concentrations in hair samples ranged from 0.40 to 24.56 |.ig/g dw. The highest concentrations were recorded in children (CH) (2-15 years old, n = 24) with significant differences (p < 0.05) with respect to women of childbearing age (WCHA) (16-49 years old, n = 29) and the rest of the population (RP) (n = 23), which were not significantly different. The highest T-Hg con- centrations in muscle tissue were recorded in the carnivorous fish (0.65-2.25 (jg/g wet weight, ww), with significant differ- ences (p < 0.05) compared to non-carnivorous fish (0.16-0.54 (Jg/g ww). WIT-Hg recorded the highest values in CH (2.18- 50.41 (jg/kg/week), with significant differences (p < 0.05) with respect to WCHA (2.02-23.54 (jg/kg/week) and RP (1.09-24.71 (jg/kg/week), which were not significantly different. Correla- tion analysis showed a significant relationship between weekly fish consumption and hair T-Hg in CH (r = 0.37, p < 0.05) and WCHA (r = 0.44, p < 0.05). This association was also observed with the number of days per week with fish consumption in CH (r = 0.37, p < 0.05) and WCHA (r = 0.45, p < 0.05). These results suggest that Hg exposure in people inhabiting the Urra dam should be carefully monitored, particularly in vulnerable groups such as CH and WCHA. Source: Marrugo-Negrete, J. I., J. A Ruiz-Guzman, et al. (2013). "Relationship between mercury levels in hair and fish consumption in a pop- ulation living near a hydroelectric tropical dam." Biol Trace Elem Res 151 (2): 187-194. A pilot randomized controlled trial to pro- mote healthful fish consumption during preg- nancy: The food for thought study BACKGROUND: Nutritionists advise pregnant women to eat fish to obtain adequate docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essen- tial nutrient important for optimal brain development. Howev- er, concern exists that this advice will lead to excess intake of methylmercury, a developmental neurotoxicant. OBJEC- TIVE: Conduct a pilot intervention to increase consump- tion of high-DHA, low-mercury fish in pregnancy. METH- ODS: In April-October 2010 we recruited 61 women in the greater Boston, MA area at 12-22 weeks gestation who consumed <=2 fish servings/month, and obtained out- come data from 55. We randomized participants to 3 arms: Advice to consume low-mercury/high-DHA fish (n=18); Advice + grocery store gift cards (GC) to purchase fish (n=17); or Control messages (n=20). At baseline and 12- week follow-up we estimated intake of fish, DHA and mer- cury using a 1-month fish intake food frequency question- naire, and measured plasma DHA and blood and hair total mercury. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and mean (range) intakes of fish [21 (0-125) g/day] and DHA from fish [91 (0-554) mg/d] were similar in all 3 arms. From baseline to follow-up, intake of fish [Advice: 12 g/day (95% CI: -5, 29), Advice+GC: 22 g/day (5, 39)] and DHA [Advice: 70 mg/d (3,137), Advice+GC: 161 mg/d (93, 229)] increased in both intervention groups, compared with controls. At follow-up, no control women consumed > = 200mg/d of DHA from fish, compared with 33% in the Advice arm (p=0.005) and 53% in the Advice+GC arm (p=0.0002). We did not detect any differences in mercury intake or in biomarker levels of mercury and DHA be- tween groups. CONCLUSIONS: An educational interven- tion increased consumption of fish and DHA but not mer- cury. Future studies are needed to determine intervention effects on pregnancy and childhood health outcomes. Source: Oken, E., L. B. Guthrie, et al. (2013). "A pilot randomized controlled trial to promote healthful fish consumption during pregnan- cy: The food for thought study." Nutrition Journal 12(33). Stakeholder participation in research design and decisions: Scientists, fishers, and mercury in saltwater fish Individuals who fish and eat self-caught fish make deci- sions about where to fish, the type to eat, and the quantity to eat. Federal and state agencies often issue consumption advisories for some fish with high mercury (Hg) concentra- tions, but seldom provide either the actual metal levels to the general public, or identify the fish that have low con- taminant levels. Community participatory research is of growing importance in defining, studying, and resolving complex exposure and risk issues, and this paper is at the intersection of traditional stakeholder approaches and com- munity-based participatory research. The objective of this paper is to describe the process whereby stakeholders 2 June 2013 ------- Conferences International Conference on Mercur/as a Global Pollutant July 28-August 2, 2013, Edinburgh, Scotland http://www. mercury 2013.com/ International Society of Exposure Science (ISES)-23rd Annual Meeting August 20-23, 2013, Basel, Switzerland http://www.isesweb.org/Meetings/mtgs_fut.htm American Fisheries Society 143rd Annual Meeting September 8 12, 2013, Little Rock, Arkansas http://afs2013.com / The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) North America 34th Annual Meeting November 17-21, 2013, Nashville, Tennessee http://www.setac.org/events/event_details.asp? id=244644 (fishers), were involved in directing and refining research ques- tions to address their particular informational needs about mercury levels in fish, potential risks, and methods to maintain health, by balancing the risks and benefits of fish consump- tion. A range of stakeholders, mainly individual fishers, fishing organizations, and other scientists, were involved at nearly every stage. Community participants influenced many aspects of die design and implementation of the research, in the deter- mination of which fish species to sample, in the collection of the samples, and in the final analyses and synthesis, as well as the communication of results and implications of the research through their fishing club publications, talks and gatherings. By involving the most interested and affected communities, the data and conclusions are relevant to their needs because the fish examined were those they ate and wanted information about, and directly address concerns about the risk from con- suming self-caught fish. Although mercury levels in fish pre- sumed to be high in mercury are known, little information was available to the fishermen on mercury levels in fish that were low and thus provided little risk to their families. While com- munity participatory research is more time-consuming and expensive than traditional scientific research, both the process and results are better scientifically in terms of community rele- vance. Source: Burger, J., M. Gochfeld, et al. (2013). "Stakeholder participation in research design and decisions: Scientists, fishers, and mercury in saltwater fish." EcoHealth 10(1): 21-30. Consumption of seafood, serum liver en- zymes, and blood levels of PFOS and PFOA in the Japanese population Objective: Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) andperfluorooc- tanoate (PFOA) have been shown to accumulate in the human body. The purpose of the present study was to examine the factors associated with the blood levels of PFOS and PFOA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 307 men and 301 women (aged 16-76 years) living in 15 prefectures in Japan. Blood levels of PFOS and PFOA were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Hepatic enzymes (y-GTP, GOT, and GPT) and w-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA and EPA) levels in serum were also measured. Associa- tions between the levels of PFOS and PFOA in blood and the intake frequency of 41 kinds of dishes, foods and beverages and the serum levels of liver enzymes and w-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were examined using rank correlations. Results: Frequency of intake of boiled fish in broth, sliced raw fish and coastal fish showed significant positive correlations with National Listing of Fish Advisories 3 ------- PFOS concentrations in blood after adjustments for poten- tial confounders. Serum levels of GOT, GPT, DHA and EPA showed significant positive correlations with PFOS and PFOA in blood. There was also a significant regional difference in the blood levels of PFOS and PFOA, with medians being highest in the Tokai/Hokuriku/Kinki re- gion. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the concen- trations of PFQS in blood were mainly associated with fish consumption and that the levels of PFOS and PFOA were mainly associated with the serum levels of liver enzymes in Japanese populations. Further investigations are required to clarify the reason for the regional differences in blood lev- els of PFOS and PFOAin Japan. Source: Yamaguchi, M., K. Arisawa, et al. (2013). "Consumption of seafood, serum liver enzymes, and blood levels of PFOS and PFOA in the Japanese population." Journal of Occupational Health. Epub ahead of print. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish, other nutri- ent intake, and lifestyle factors: Exploring the relationship in children The omega-3 fatty acids found mostly in seafood are essen- tial nutrients that may help prevent or control a number of diseases; however, the evidence for this is not conclusive. The positive effects may be because of other dietary and lifestyle factors. Therefore, we investigated the association between fish intake and other nutrition indicators and life- style and demographic factors among children. The study employed grade-4 student data of the 2000-2004 Hawaii Nutrition Education Heeds Assessment Survey, In a sam- ple 666 children (mean age = 9.57 ± 0.06 years, 55.6% fe- male, 62.4%' Asian/Pacific Islander), analysis indicated that fish consumption is positively associated with healthy life • style indicators, such as physical activity and a healthy body mass index. Fish consumption is also positively associated with protein and kilocalories intake but not with fruits and vegetables consumption. Findings suggest that the positive health behaviors linked to fish consumption may lie more in physical activity than in diet behaviors. Given that fish consumption is important for children, interventions pro- moting fish consumption in a balanced diet with fruit and vegetable, as well as other positive lifestyle behaviors are warranted. Source: Chung, H. V., C. S. Iversen, et al. (2013). "Omega-3 fatty acids from fish, other nutrient intake, and lifestyle factors: Exploring the relationship in children." Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health Epub ahead of print. Experimental and natural warming elevates mercury concentrations in estuarine fish Marine food webs are the most important link between the global contaminant, methylmercury (MeHg), and human exposure through consumption of seafood. Warming tem- peratures may increase human exposure to MeHg, a potent neurotoxin, by increasing MeHg production as well as bio- accumulation and trophic transfer through marine food webs. Studies of the effects of temperature on MeHg bio- accumulation are rare and no study has specifically related temperature to MeHg fate by linking laboratory experi- ments with natural field manipulations ill coastal ecosys- tems. We performed laboratory and field experiments on MeHg accumulation under varying temperature regimes using the ldllifish, Fmtdidus hetemEtus. Temperature treat- ments were established in salt pools on a coastal salt marsh using a natural temperature gradient where ldllifish fed on natural food sources. Temperatures were manipulated across a wider range in laboratory experiments with killifish exposed to MeHg enriched food. In both laboratory micro- cosms and field mesocosms, MeHg concentrations in killi- fish significantly increased at elevated temperatures. More- over, in field experiments, other ancillaiy variables (salinity, MeHg in sediment, etc.) did not relate to: MeHg bioaccu- mulation. Modeling of laboratory experimental results sug- gested increases in metabolic rate as a driving factor. The elevated temperatures we tested are consistent with predict- ------- ed trends in climate wanning, and indicate that in the ab- sence of confounding factors, warmer sea surface tempera- tures could result in greater in bioaccumulation of MeHg in fish, and consequently, increased human exposure. Source: Dijkstra, J. A., K. L. Buckman, et al. (2013). "Experimental and natural warming elevates mercury concentrations in estuarine fish." PLoS One 8(3). Dietary advice on Inuit traditional food use needs to balance benefits and risks of mercury, selenium, and n3 fatty acids Elevated concentrations of mercury (Hg) are commonly found in the traditional foods, including fish and marine mammals, of Inuit living in Canada's Arctic. As a result, Inuit often have higher dietary Hg intake and elevated Hg blood concentrations. However, these same traditional foods are excellent sources of essential nutrients. The goals of this study were 1) to identify the traditional food sources of Hg exposure for Inuit, 2) to estimate the percentage of Inuit who meet specific nutrient Dietary Reference Intakes and/or exceed the Toxicological Reference Values (TRVs), and 3) to evaluate options that maximize nutrient intake while minimizing contaminant exposure. A participatory cross-sectional survey was designed in consultation with Inuit in 3 Canadian Arctic jurisdictions (Nunatsiavut, Nu- navut, and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region). Estimated intakes for EPA (20:5n3) and DHA (22:6n3) met suggested dietary targets, and estimated selenium (Se) intake fell with- in the Acceptable Range of Oral Intake. Estimated intakes of Hg (rs = 0.41, P < 0.001), Se (rs = 0.44, P < 0.001), EPA (rs = 0.32, P < 0.001), and DHA (rs = 0.28, P < 0.001) were correlated with their respective blood concen- trations. Mean estimated Hg intake (7.9 (jg • kg(-l) • wk(- 1)) exceeded the TRV of 5.0 j.ig • kg(-l) • wk(-l), with 35% of the population above this guideline. Because the estimat- ed intakes of each of the nutrients were strongly correlated (Se: rs = 0.92, P < 0.001; EPA: rs = 0.82, P < 0.001; DHA: rs = 0.81, P < 0.001) with estimated Hg intake, efforts to decrease Hg exposure must emphasize the overall health- fulness of traditional foods and be designed to prevent concomitant harm to the nutrient intakes of Inuit. Source: Laird, B. D., A B. Goncharov, et al. (2013). "Dietary advice on Inuit traditional food use needs to balance benefits and risks of mercu- ry, selenium, and n3 fatty acids." The Journal of Nutrition 143(6): 923- 930. Ecotoxicity and risk to human fish consumers of polychlorinated biphenyls in fish near the Hanford Site (USA) Source: Delistraty, D. (2013). "Ecotoxicity and risk to human fish con- sumers of polychlorinated biphenyls in fish near the Hanford Site (USA)." Science of the Total Environment 445-446: 14-2. Assessment of heavy metals in tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from the Langat Riv- er and Engineering Lake in Bangi, Malaysia, and evaluation of health risk from tilapia consumption Source: Taweel, A, M. Shuhaimi-Othman, et al. (2013). "Assessment of heavy metals in tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from the Langat River and Engineering Lake in Bangi, Malaysia, and evaluation of health risk from tilapia consumption." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. Increased consumption of salmon during pregnancy partly prevents the decline of some plasma essential amino acid concentrations in pregnant women Source: Rossary, A, M.-C. Farges, etal. (2013). "Increased consump- tion of salmon during pregnancy partly prevents the decline of some plasma essential amino acid concentrations in pregnant women." Clini- cal Nutrition Epub ahead of print. Selenium and mercury in widely consumed seafood from South Atlantic Ocean Source: Kehrig, H. A, T. G. Seixas, et al. (2013). "Selenium and mercu- ry in widely consumed seafood from South Atlantic Ocean." Ecotoxi- cology and Environmental Safety. Epub ahead of print. Risk assessments of human exposure to bioaccessible phthalate esters through market fish consumption Source: Cheng, Z., X.-P. Nie, etal. (2013). "Risk assessments of human exposure to bioaccessible phthalate esters through market fish con- sumption." Environment International 57-58: 75-80. Monitoring programme on toxic metal in bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) from Istanbul,Turkey: Levels and estimated weekly intake Source: Ozden, 0. (2013). "Monitoring programme on toxic metal in bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sar- dine (Sardina pilchardus) from Istanbul, Turkey: Levels and estimated weekly intake." Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicolo- gy 90(5): 542-551. National Listing of Fish Advisories 5 ------- Mercury as a global pollutant: Sources, pathways, and effects Source: Driscoll, C. T., R. P. Mason, etal. (2013). "Mercury as a global pollutant: Sources, pathways, and effects." Environ Sci Technol 47(10): 4967-4983. Plasma mercury levels in Hong Kong residents: In relation to fish consumption Source: Liang, P., Y.-Y. Qin, et al. (2013). "Plasma mercury levels in Hong Kong residents: In relation to fish consumption." Science of the Total Environment. Epub ahead of print. Need for improved risk communication of fish consumption advisories to protect maternal and child health: Influence of primary informants Source: Leprevost, C., K. M. Gray, et al. (2013). "Need for improved risk communication of fish consumption advisories to protect maternal and child health: Influence of primary informants." IntJ Environ Res Public Health 10(5): 1720-1734. For more information about the NLFA or EPA's Fish Advisory Program, contact: Additional Information For more information about specific advisories within a state, contact the appropriate state agency listed on EPA's NLFA website at http:// fi shadvi soryonl i ne.epa.gov/Contacts.aspx The NLFA Newsletter at Fish_Advisory@epa.gov or Jeff Bigler, National Program Manager, Fish Advisory Program Telephone: 202.566.0389 E-mail: bigler.jeff@epa.gov U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Science and Technology (4305T) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460 6 June 2013 ------- |