HUMAN BIOMONITORING TO OPTIMIZE FISH CONSUMPTION ADVICE

Abstract Consumption advice to ensure the health and safety of fish consumers remains urgent to handle the ever-increasing panic over heavy metal toxicity. Moreover, studies of fish consumption rarely focus on the perceptions and awareness of consumers. Considering this, the present study examines the knowledge and perceptions of the risks and benefits of fish consumption among consumers of Laguna de Bay to explore their willingness to follow fish consumption advice. The seasonal variation in selected types of heavy metal contamination in two commercially important fish species, tilapia and mudfish, was analysed and a vulnerability map based on the risk‒benefit ratio was produced for Laguna de Bay. Furthermore, this study formulates fish consumption advice for consumers of fish in the area. Primary data on consumers’ perceptions were collected through a questionnaire, whereas heavy metal contamination data were compiled from the best available literature. We concluded that people’s willingness to adopt consumption advice is mostly dependent on their existing level of fish consumption. Moreover, consumption advice is formulated to indicate restrictions on consumption for the areas identified as vulnerable due to contamination. This empirical study can serve as a model for the future development of fish consumption advice in the region.

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Die Umweltprobenbank des Bundes: Die Bedeutung physiologischer Parameter für die Bewertung zeitlicher Trends der internen Schadstoffexposition durch Human-Biomonitoring

Das Gesundheitswesen ◽

10.1055/s-0033-1337523 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 75 (04) ◽

Author(s):

A Conrad ◽

C Schröter-Kermani ◽

M Rüther ◽

H Koch ◽

M Kolossa-Gehring

Keyword(s):

Human Biomonitoring

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Risk and Regulation: Methylmercury Exposure and Fish Consumption

Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Journal ◽

10.15695/vurj.v6i0.2880 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan M Gendzier

Keyword(s):

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Fish Consumption ◽

Government Regulation ◽

Mercury Emissions ◽

Methylmercury Exposure ◽

Exposure Levels ◽

Aquatic Food ◽

Reference Doses ◽

Fish And Shellfish ◽

Global Cycle

Exposure to organic mercury (methylmercury) occurs almost universally due to ingestion via contaminated fish and shellfish tissue. Ultimate sources of mercury consist of air release by domestic industrial combustion, mining, and international mercury emissions transported via a global cycle. Deposition of mercury from air to surface waters results in methylation to organic methylmercury and bioaccumulation in the aquatic food web. Health effects from methylmercury exposure consist mainly of neurological and neurodevelopmental effects, with fetuses particularly sensitive. Thus regulation of methylmercury exposure has concentrated on acceptable exposure levels and reference doses aimed toward protecting developing fetuses. The risk of methylmercury exposure in humans is regulated largely by the federal government, especially by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The EPA imposes limits on mercury emissions and seeks to research methylmercury levels in fish and humans. The EPA sets a reference dose for methylmercury exposure. The FDA conducts uses date on methylmercury levels in fish to advise consumers on how to make informed decisions regarding fish consumption. There are numerous shortcoming to government regulation of this issue. Further scientific research, improved implementation of available data and scientific conclusions, and improved public communication of risk would all lead to more effective treatment of the risk of methylmercury exposure via ingestion of fish and shellfish. This could include more effective monitoring systems of human and fish methylmercury levels, research into the process of bioaccumulation, and implementation of stricter fish labeling standards, as well as research into higher-risk subpopulations allowing for targeted standards and recommendations.

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