Invitation to Poison? Detroit Minorities and Toxic Fish Consumption from the Detroit River

Author(s):  
Patrick C. West
2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 674-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna R. Kashian ◽  
Ann E. Krause ◽  
Larissa Sano ◽  
Branda Nowell ◽  
Ken G. Drouillard

Author(s):  
Jonathan M Gendzier

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.


1986 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.J. Roberts ◽  
R.B. Hunsinger ◽  
A.H. Vajdic

Abstract The Drinking Water Surveillance Program (DWSP), developed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, is an assessment project based on standardized analytical and sampling protocol. This program was recently instituted in response to a series of contaminant occurrences in the St. Clair-Detroit River area of Southwestern Ontario. This paper outlines the details and goals of the program and provides information concerning micro-contaminants in drinking water at seven drinking water treatment plants in Southwestern Ontario.


1986 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.H. Chan ◽  
Y.L. Lau ◽  
B.G. Oliver

Abstract The concentration distribution of hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), pentachloro-benzene (QCB), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and octachlorostyrene (OCS) in water samples from transects across the upper and lower St. Clair River and the upper Detroit River were determined on four occasions in 1985. The data show a plume of these contaminants from the Sarnia industrial area. The fluxes and concentration profiles of the contaminants at Port Lambton have been modelled success fully using a simple transverse mixing model. A study on the chemical partitioning between the “dissolved” and “suspended sediment” phases shows that an important contaminant fraction is carried in the river by the suspended solids, particularly for lipophilie compounds such as HCB and OCS,


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e034702
Author(s):  
Wilco Zijlmans ◽  
Jeffrey Wickliffe ◽  
Ashna Hindori-Mohangoo ◽  
Sigrid MacDonald-Ottevanger ◽  
Paul Ouboter ◽  
...  

PurposeThe Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health prospective environmental epidemiologic cohort study addresses the impact of chemical and non-chemical environmental exposures on mother/child dyads in Suriname. The study determines associations between levels of environmental elements and toxicants in pregnant women, and birth outcomes and neurodevelopment in their children.ParticipantsPregnant women (N=1143) were enrolled from December 2016 to July 2019 from three regions of Suriname: Paramaribo (N=738), Nickerie (N=204) and the tropical rainforest interior (N=201). Infants (N=992) were enrolled at birth. Follow-up will take place until children are 48 months old.Findings to dateBiospecimens and questionnaire data on physiological and psychosocial health in pregnant women have been analysed. 39.1% had hair mercury (Hg) levels exceeding values considered safe by international standards. Median hair Hg concentrations in women from Paramaribo (N=522) were 0.64 µg/g hair (IQRs 0.36–1.09; range 0.00–7.12), from Nickerie (N=176) 0.73 µg/g (IQR 0.45–1.05; range 0.00–5.79) and the interior (N=178) 3.48 µg/g (IQR 1.92–7.39; range 0.38–18.20). 96.1% of women ate fish, respective consumption of the three most consumed carnivorous species, Hoplias aimara, Serrasalmus rhombeus and Cichla ocellaris, known to have high Hg levels, was 44.4%, 19.3% and 26.3%, respectively, and was greater among the interior subcohort. 89% frequently consumed the vegetable tannia, samples of which showed presence of worldwide banned pesticides. 24.9% of pregnant women had Edinburgh Depression Scale scores indicative of probable depression.Future plansFish consumption advisories are in development, especially relevant to interior women for whom fish consumption is likely to be the primary source of Hg exposure. Effects of potentially beneficial neuroprotective factors in fish that may counter neurotoxic effects of Hg are being examined. A pesticide literacy assessment in pregnant women is in progress. Neurodevelopmental assessments and telomere length measurements of the children to evaluate long-term effects of prenatal exposures to toxicant mixtures are ongoing.


Author(s):  
Anneli Lofstedt ◽  
Baukje de Roos ◽  
Paul G. Fernandes

Abstract Purpose To review the seafood dietary recommendations of European countries and compare them to national seafood supplies. Methods Current seafood dietary recommendations were collated from national health authorities across Europe. Food balance sheets were downloaded from the FAO, and appropriate conversion factors were applied to each seafood commodity. Average net per capita seafood supplies from 2007 to 2017 were derived from data on imports and production for food from both capture fisheries and aquaculture, accounting for exports. Results Both national dietary recommendations and seafood supplies varied considerably throughout Europe. At a national level, on a per capita basis, only 13 out of the 31 of European dietary recommendations for fish consumption were satisfied by national seafood supplies. Most of the countries with coastal access, as well as those with traditional fish-eating cultures, such as France and countries in Northern Europe, had adequate seafood supplies to meet their recommendations. The landlocked countries of Central and Eastern Europe did not have enough seafood supplies to satisfy their recommendations. Conclusions Our findings emphasise the need to not only consider consumer health outcomes when developing and advocating dietary recommendations, but also the sustainability of food production systems. As many foods are not necessarily locally sourced but traded as part of global production and distribution systems, it is important to consider greater consistency between national dietary recommendations to facilitate more sustainable marine food systems.


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