For a long time, fish is regarded as an important food source beneficial for human health. But there’s nowadays an increasing concern of fish consumption for increasing existence of mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg), which can be accumulated upon fish intake and pose health threats to human.  It is suggested that children and pregnant women are more vulnerable to effects due to accumulation of Hg. There have been continuous efforts done by governments and researchers all over the world, e.g. publishing national and regional advisories on fish consumption, in order to inform public related risks aroused by excess fish consumption. Sweden, as one of the earliest countries abandons the use of Hg (Regeringskansliet, http://www.sweden.gov.se), has published a national advisory on fish consumption for pregnant and breastfeeding women (Swedish National Food Agency, SLV, http://www.slv.se/). Hg level in edible fish organs is also limited for safe consumption.  In order to picture a better image of this, we investigated existed databases in Sweden on Hg levels in fish, fishery statistics, consumption data, and observed Hg level in human in recent decades for human exposure to Hg in Sweden. Though mercury emission decreased, the exposure to mercury via fish consumption is still high. We believe there’s a potential risk for Swedish inhabitants, especially pregnant women and women in breastfeeding, as well as young children. It is strongly recommended a safer limit of Hg in fish products for consumption in Sweden.             We hope for more synthesized knowledge of safe fish consumption that benefit for the public and promote regional/national policy in having an up-to-date fish consumption advisory in Sweden.

Estimating the risk of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in aquatic systems requires evaluation of exposure, usually based on exhaustive chemical extraction of sediment and potentially exposed organisms and an assessment of toxicity. Remediation can then focus on areas where the exposure leads to the highest risk. Although effective, an approach that estimates exposure, which accounts for bioavailabilty, bioaccumulation, trophic transfer potential, and transport of materials within and out of the waterway, should serve as a more comprehensive environmental assessment. The current study examined exposure of PCBs in several different trophic levels within the Campus Lake ecosystem, Carbondale, Illinois. The source of contamination and the distribution of PCBs among ecosystem components demonstrated contamination within the aquatic portion of Campus Lake and transport out of the aquatic environment to the riparian area. Several media were collected including sediment, emergent insects, spiders, and three species of fish. Sediment extractions demonstrated that PCBs were localized to one small cove and this area served as the source for transfer of PCBs to both aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Single-point 24-h Tenax extractions formed the basis for evaluating the bioavailable component of the sediment-associated PCBs with strong correlations to laboratory-based bioaccumulation assays for oligochaetes and chironomid larvae. Stable isotope data suggested that the source of carbon to the food web was relatively constant. Food web samples of emerging insects, fish, and spiders revealed that the PCBs in Campus Lake were bioavailable and the pattern of the PCB signature among food web components followed typical food web processes. The PCB congener pattern was consistent between emergent midges and spiders demonstrating the transfer of PCBs from aquatic to terrestrial species. The PCB concentrations detected in emerging insects from the contaminated area were on average 25 times greater than those detected in emerging insects from reference sites outside the area of greatest sediment contamination. High PCB concentrations found in several species of fish suggested that despite the localized sediment contamination, fish throughout the lake were exposed. These levels also exceeded the fish consumption advisory criteria. The PCB pattern comparisons suggested that the contaminated sediment was the source of exposure throughout the food web. This approach identified the scope of exposure to organisms, demonstrated bioavailability, and provided a basis for future PCB remediation and subsequent monitoring of Campus Lake. In comparison to studies focused solely on limited sampling of fish for consumption advisory purposes, this approach demonstrated the importance of more comprehensive studies to examine the range of ecosystem exposure even from very limited contamination sources.

Current US government risk assessment and management regulations and policies are based on a position that views risk as an objective measure of a predictable physiological morbidity or mortality outcome that is not otherwise connected to social or cultural beliefs and values. Whereas human health risk assessments are meant to determine the probability of adverse impacts from particular hazards, the conventional risk assessment framework fails to consider Native American definitions of health and so risk. This study was conducted with the Coast Salish Swinomish Indian Tribal Community of Washington State, where contamination of their aquatic natural resources has been found. By conducting two series of interviews with traditional high-use seafood consumers, experts and elders from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and by averting use of what I describe herein as ‘conventional’ fish consumption survey, the study allowed interviewees to provide a more complex narrative set of details and information that bestowed a much more accurate picture of the reasoning behind seafood consumption habits within the community. Among the more salient points that emerged from the interviews was that seafood represents a symbolic, deeply meaningful food source that is linked to a multi-dimensional ‘Swinomish’ concept of health. Yet drastic changes in access, harvest and consumption have occurred over time, and continue to this day. A health evaluation tool was also devised using simple descriptive scaled rankings to elucidate non-physiological health risks and impacts in relation to contaminated seafood. Findings demonstrate that community cohesion, food security, ceremonial use and knowledge transmission all play primary roles as concerns the Swinomish notions of health, and that these indicators are regarded as equally important when juxtaposed to physical indicators of health. Thus, to eat less seafood—as prescribed by current policy and decision-making procedures when contamination is present—is actually detrimental to the multi-dimensional concept of health as defined by the Swinomish. The evaluation tool may be used in conjunction with the conventional risk assessment framework to more accurately and comprehensively deduce risks and impacts.

Mercury contamination is a global issue due to its neurotoxicity, and China is not an exception due to its increasing industrialization. Fish is of the most concern, in respect to human exposure to mercury, because fish accumulates methylmercury through food chain in aquatic systems. The province of Zhejiang is renowned for its cuisine that incorporates freshwater fish. Qiandao Lake, in Zheijang, was the site of a case study examining the link between the total mercury (THg) concentration in hair samples and fish consumption. A questionnaire survey and hair sampling were carried out on women of childbearing age (17-46 years) from a fishing town by Qiandao Lake. The average hair THg concentration was 0.76±0.51μg/g dw. The most-frequently consumed species included four species of carp (golden, bighead, silver and predatory) and the Mongolian redfin. Hair THg concentrations accumulated rapidly during younger years, reaching a plateau around age 25, implying that the hair mercury concentrations in adult females >25 years can be interpreted by environmental exposure. Hair THg concentrations were positively correlated both with the frequency and the average weekly amount of fish consumption. This indicates that fish consumption is an important contributor to hair mercury concentrations in the absence of occupational or environmental mercury sources. A positive correlation between selenium and mercury in hair samples was also observed, suggesting a possible antagonistic relationship. This is the first study to look at mercury exposure in an eastern China community dependent on freshwater fish. This study also compared element trends (Mg, Ca, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Pb) in hair samples from three groups: 50 residents by Qiandao Lake (QD), 17 people from Fudan University, China (FU), and 20 people from Queen’s University, Canada (KI). Trends of mean Mg, Cu, Ca, As concentrations among groups are the same (KI>FU>QD). Mn, Cr, and Hg share the same trends of QD>FU>KI. Se concentrations follow the trend of QD>KI>FU. Strong correlations between Ca and Mg were observed within each group. Relationships between Se and Hg are clear in QD but not in FU and KI, probably due to the different dietary proportion of fish. / Thesis (Master, Environmental Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-12-14 11:52:06.906

Current US government risk assessment and management regulations and policies are based on a position that views risk as an objective measure of a predictable physiological morbidity or mortality outcome that is not otherwise connected to social or cultural beliefs and values. Whereas human health risk assessments are meant to determine the probability of adverse impacts from particular hazards, the conventional risk assessment framework fails to consider Native American definitions of health and so risk. This study was conducted with the Coast Salish Swinomish Indian Tribal Community of Washington State, where contamination of their aquatic natural resources has been found. By conducting two series of interviews with traditional high-use seafood consumers, experts and elders from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and by averting use of what I describe herein as ‘conventional’ fish consumption survey, the study allowed interviewees to provide a more complex narrative set of details and information that bestowed a much more accurate picture of the reasoning behind seafood consumption habits within the community. Among the more salient points that emerged from the interviews was that seafood represents a symbolic, deeply meaningful food source that is linked to a multi-dimensional ‘Swinomish’ concept of health. Yet drastic changes in access, harvest and consumption have occurred over time, and continue to this day. A health evaluation tool was also devised using simple descriptive scaled rankings to elucidate non-physiological health risks and impacts in relation to contaminated seafood. Findings demonstrate that community cohesion, food security, ceremonial use and knowledge transmission all play primary roles as concerns the Swinomish notions of health, and that these indicators are regarded as equally important when juxtaposed to physical indicators of health. Thus, to eat less seafood—as prescribed by current policy and decision-making procedures when contamination is present—is actually detrimental to the multi-dimensional concept of health as defined by the Swinomish. The evaluation tool may be used in conjunction with the conventional risk assessment framework to more accurately and comprehensively deduce risks and impacts.

Current US government risk assessment and management regulations and policies are based on a position that views risk as an objective measure of a predictable physiological morbidity or mortality outcome that is not otherwise connected to social or cultural beliefs and values. Whereas human health risk assessments are meant to determine the probability of adverse impacts from particular hazards, the conventional risk assessment framework fails to consider Native American definitions of health and so risk. This study was conducted with the Coast Salish Swinomish Indian Tribal Community of Washington State, where contamination of their aquatic natural resources has been found. By conducting two series of interviews with traditional high-use seafood consumers, experts and elders from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and by averting use of what I describe herein as ‘conventional’ fish consumption survey, the study allowed interviewees to provide a more complex narrative set of details and information that bestowed a much more accurate picture of the reasoning behind seafood consumption habits within the community. Among the more salient points that emerged from the interviews was that seafood represents a symbolic, deeply meaningful food source that is linked to a multi-dimensional ‘Swinomish’ concept of health. Yet drastic changes in access, harvest and consumption have occurred over time, and continue to this day. A health evaluation tool was also devised using simple descriptive scaled rankings to elucidate non-physiological health risks and impacts in relation to contaminated seafood. Findings demonstrate that community cohesion, food security, ceremonial use and knowledge transmission all play primary roles as concerns the Swinomish notions of health, and that these indicators are regarded as equally important when juxtaposed to physical indicators of health. Thus, to eat less seafood—as prescribed by current policy and decision-making procedures when contamination is present—is actually detrimental to the multi-dimensional concept of health as defined by the Swinomish. The evaluation tool may be used in conjunction with the conventional risk assessment framework to more accurately and comprehensively deduce risks and impacts. / Science, Faculty of / Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES), Institute for / Graduate

Traditional food is fundamental for the cultural identity, mental and spiritual well-being, and physical and nutritional health of First Nations in Canada. Rapid environment changes including environmental contamination and degradation, climate change, urbanization and industry growth reduce the availability and diversity of traditional foods. This is concomitant with changing lifestyle and an increased prevalence of malnutrition, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The goal of this thesis is to investigate the roles of traditional fish consumption for First Nations’ health in the complex interplays between environmental contaminant exposure, climate change, and food and nutrition security. Data collected from the First Nations Food Nutrition and Environment Study were used. The thesis is comprised of seven chapters presented in three sections. Section 1 addressed the importance of traditional fish consumption for food and nutritional security among First Nations in Canada. With increased income-related food insecurity, First Nations rely more on traditional foods including fish and participate more in fishing and other traditional practices. Nevertheless, many factors such as climate change, governmental restrictions, hydro and forestry operations continue to reduce the availability of traditional fish and access to traditional food sources, land and waterways. Section 2 explored the associations between locally-harvested fish consumption, long chain omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) intake and dietary exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POP) with type 2 diabetes in First Nations in Canada. Dietary POP exposure was positively associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes whereas fish consumption (n-3 FA) showed protective dose-response associations. Furthermore, we found that relatively high POP exposure from fish may outweigh the protective associations of fish on type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the balance of risks and benefits associated with fish consumption is highly dependent on the regional POP concentrations in fish. Section 3 entailed studies on the nutritional benefits of seafood consumption and modelling potential impacts of the climate-related decline in seafood abundance on the nutritional quality of adult diets and cardiovascular health among coastal First Nations in British Columbia. We estimated that projected climate change may reduce the intakes of essential nutrients by 21%– 31% by 2050 relative to 2000. Moreover, hypothetical substitution of seafood with alternative non-traditional foods would not provide adequate amounts of nutrients. Reduced fish consumption and consequent n-3 FAs intake may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in First Nations. Our findings provide important information for communities, fishery governance, local resource managers and public health professionals to promote traditional food systems, nutritional health, food security, and food sovereignty in Canadian First Nations.

Human exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) occurs mainly through two pathways, inhalation and ingestion. Dietary exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including PFAS, is driven mainly by the consumption of foods of marine or terrestrial animal origin. Therefore, the intake of fish from waters in populated or polluted areas may be a source of human exposure to PFAS. The overall aim of the study was to estimate human exposure to PFAS through the consumption of fish caught in Swedish waters. Analyses of extractable organofluorine (EOF) were performed to serve as an important metric alongside target analysis to better understand the total amount of PFAS in the human sera and fish samples. The serum samples represent individuals who have lived at some point about 5 km from the glass industry in Nybro and Emmaboda. For this study with the Glasbruket study population, the highest concentrations were found for PFOS followed by PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS (medians of 7.9, 1.9, 1.4 and 0.8 ng/mL). Also, the difference in this population between men/women and high/low fish consumers were also addressed. It was stated that there was a statistically significant difference in average Σ17 PFAS concentration between the male and female groups (p < 0.05, two-tailed test). However, the differences between the low and high consumer groups were not statistically significant even though the PFAS levels were higher in the high consumer group. The organofluorine mass balance analysis revealed that 80.1% (ranged from 68.3−93.7%) of the EOF in female samples could not be explained, whereas 57.3% (ranged from 0−99.4%) for the male group was of unidentified origin. Two methods were evaluated for PFAS and EOF analysis of fish muscle, namely, acetonitrile extraction and ion-pair extraction. The selected method, the ion-pair extraction, was performed on fish muscle samples. The fish species included perch (Perca fluviatilis), northern pike (Esox Lucius) and zander (Sander lucioperca) that were collected from seven different lakes in the vicinity of Nyro and Emmaboda. The sum of targeted PFAS (∑14PFAS) across all fish samples analysed ranged from 0.9 to 6.2 ng/g. Mostly, perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), precursors to PFCAs and novel PFAS were found in the fish samples. A large part of the EOF content cannot be identified with the targeted PFAS compounds. The average identified EOF fraction for all fish was 2.3% (ranging from 0.8 to 7.2%). For this study, 10 PFAS were found in both sera and fish samples. Therefore, freshwater fish consumption can be identified as one of the contributors to the PFAS concentrations in the Glasbruket population. The fish samples contained precursor compounds as well, that were not found in human serum. These precursor compounds can contribute to the concentrations of PFAAs in serum through biotransformation in the human body to perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). Due to the widespread use of PFAS and their persistence in the environment, it is difficult to determine the relationship between the levels found in serum and fish. The Glasbruket population could be exposed to other sources besides fish.

No description available.

Fish consumption advisories are increasingly being issued by state and municipal governments with concerns about pollution in local waterways. These advisories are developed to inform the public about the potential dangers of consuming excessive amounts of locally caught fish. They are not enforceable limits, however, and are only guidelines and suggestions on what are considered safe meal sizes, safe meal frequencies, and species fit for consumption. As a result, few efforts are made to determine how well these advisories are being followed. In order to determine the efficacy of such urban advisories, anglers are interviewed in Washington, DC on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. Anglers are asked a number of questions pertaining to their fishing and consumption habits, advisory knowledge, and risk perceptions. The results suggest that several improvements can be made to better implement advisory efforts. Most importantly, minority anglers—particularly African-Americans—appear to be receiving the message in advisories, but are failing to comply with advisory recommendations. Cultural beliefs and influences, as well as information dissemination inadequacies, are cited as possible reasons for this failure. Lastly, strategies are presented that health and fisheries planners can use to better understand angler risk perception and better educate anglers about the risks of ignoring advisory recommendations. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning