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Note: The following summaries are based on articles from the press and from peer-reviewed publications, and they
represent the opinions of the original authors. The views of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and
shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or
otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government.
Current Events, News and Journal Articles
- Studies Conflict on Danger in Mercury-Laden Fish -
Recently the New York Times, the Associated Press (AP), and Time magazine reported on two studies that have yielded contradictory findings about the possible heart dangers of eating fish contaminated with mercury. The studies, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine on November 28, looked at the long-term effects of mercury exposure on the hearts of middle-aged and elderly men. One study found no clear link between mercury levels in the body and the risk of developing heart disease; the other found that men who had suffered a heart attack had higher mercury levels than similar men who had not. The latter study, conducted in Europe, also indicated that the mercury contamination in fish seems to offset the benefits of an important fatty acid, and men with the highest mercury levels were nearly 2.2 times more likely to have had a heart attack than were those with the lowest levels.
The AP reports that researchers, Food and Drug Administration officials and other experts cite the need for more research is needed and maintain that people should not stop eating fish. Authors of the studies said there could be several explanations for their disparate results, including differences in the fish eaten in the United States and
Europe. A Finnish study published in 1995 found an increased risk of heart disease in people whose hair had high mercury levels.
Sources:
Associated Press. As reported by the New York Times, November 28, 2002. Studies Conflict on Danger in Mercury-Laden Fish.
Gupta, S. December, 2002. Fish Oil and Toenails. Time Magazine.
E. Guallar, et al. 2002. Mercury, Fish Oils, and the Risk of Myocardial Infarction. New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 347:1747-1754.
K. Yoshizawa, et al. 2002. Mercury and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Men. New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 347:1755-1760.
- Lead concentrations in fish in Missouri -
This study examined the lead concentrations in sediments, fish fillets, and fish whole
bodies at 13 sites in two rivers of the Old Lead Belt of Missouri. Sediments near old mining sites were found to have significantly elevated lead concentrations compared with control sites upstream from the mining activity. Lead concentration in sediments was highly correlated with lead concentrations in suckers and small sunfish . Annual average lead concentrations in sucker fillets ranged up to 0.67 microg/g (wet weight) and exceeded the World Health Organization guidelines of 0.3 microg/g (wet weight) at many of the sample sites. However, no bass fillet samples exceeded the WHO guideline.
Source: Gale NL, Adams CD, Wixson BG, Loftin KA, Huang YW. Lead concentrations in fish and river sediments in the old lead belt of Missouri. Environ Sci Technol 2002 Oct 15;36(20):4262-8.
- Long-term variation in mercury concentrations in Lavaca Bay, Texas -
This paper describes the history and present conditions of mercury contamination in Lavaca Bay (Texas). Mercury containing wastewater discharges to the bay were halted in 1970, but sediments were contaminated with mercury which resulted in an advisory for crabs and finfish in the area. Although mercury in water column feeding organisms has decreased markedly since 1970, concentrations in benthic food web organisms remain elevated. Monitoring of mercury in organisms since 1977 shows a gradual downward trend in mercury in crabs and finfish, but continued releases of mercury and resuspension of sediments keep mercury in the sediment's biologically active zone. Even if releases are ended, the author states, it will take years for the mercury to decrease to concentrations not of concern for human consumption, unless sediment remediation activities are undertaken
Source: Sager DR. Long-term variation in mercury concentrations in estuarine organisms with
changes in releases into Lavaca Bay, Texas. Mar Pollut Bull 2002 Aug; 44(8):807-15.
- Total mercury in muscle tissue of sharks from Brazilian waters -
Total mercury levels were determined in five shark species with different
habits (Carcharhinus signatus, Mustelus canis, Mustelus norrisi, Squalus
megalops, and Squalus mitsukurii). Specimens were collected during 1997 in the offshore waters of southern Brazil. The highest mercury concentrations, all
above the limit established by Brazilian legislation (0.5 microg/g), were detected in piscivorous species (C. signatus, S. megalops, and S. mitsukurii) with averages of 1.77, 1.9, and 2.22 microg/g, respectively, while species that feed mainly on invertebrates (M. canis and M. norrisi) had averages of 0.41 and 0.36 microg/g. The authors conclude these results indicate that feeding habits influence total mercury level in sharks.
Source: Penedo de Pinho A, Davee Guimaraes JR, Martins AS, Costa PA, Olavo G, Valentin J. Total mercury in muscle tissue of five shark species from Brazilian offshore waters: effects of feeding habit, sex, and length. Environ Res 2002 Jul;89(3):250-8.
- Mercury content in fish and molluscs from Adriatic Sea -
The authors analyzed samples of 10 fish species, cuttlefish and squid from the Adriatic Sea for mercury. Mean values for mercury ranged from 0.042 to 0.171 ppm (wet weight). The highest mercury concentrations recorded in cuttlefish and squid were 0.134 and 0.171 ppm respectively; the highest mercury concentration in fish was 0.131 ppm in saddled bream. The mercury concentrations observed in this 1997 sampling were much lower than those observed in a similar study in 1985.
Source: Vedrina-Dragojevic-I; Dragojevic-D; Bujan-M. 2002. Total mercury content in fish and molluscs from Adriatic Sea. Deutsche-Lebensmittel-Rundschau; 98(1) 10-13.
- Identifying heavy metals in fish -
This recently published book chapter describes the concentration of heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, tin and aluminum) typically found in
edible parts of commercially used fish and, where appropriate, in other
aquatic animals, as well as the methods used in the identification and
analysis of these contaminants.
Source: Oehlenschlager, J. Identifying heavy metals in fish in: Safety and quality issues in fish processing. Editor: Bremner, H. A. Woodhead Publishing Ltd, Camridge, UK. 2002. p.95-113
- Mercury and antibiotic resistance in the gastrointestinal microflora of hatchery lake trout -
Several 6 year-old lake trout were collected from the Governor Hill State Fish Hatchery in Augusta, Maine to investigate patterns in gastrointestinal (GI) microflora including mercury and antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics were not used in fish diets or on fish. GI mercury-resistant strains were isolated and characterized. Variable patterns of resistance to antibiotics were observed; however, resistance to some antibiotics was prevalent. Although levels of mercury were not detectable in the hatchery's water or cultured fishes, mercury-resistant Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial isolates have been isolated from within the GI tract. The authors conclude that this suggests prior mercury exposure or exposure to some other selective agent.
Source: Johnson K A; Weisbein J L; Megquire A M; Thacker A L; Danner G R; Fekete F A. Mercury and antibiotic resistance in the gastrointestinal microflora of hatchery lake trout. Abstracts of the General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. Volume 102 p. 251. 2002.
- Southern resident killer whales at risk -
This paper reviews the scientific literature regarding the sources of contaminants that might accumulate in killer whale food chains in the Pacific Northwest. The authors feel that documenting the sources of persistent organic pollutants to killer whales is an important basis for regulatory action concerning chemical usage. However, the importance of regional sources in the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound to the contamination of these killer whales remains relatively unknown, since contaminants can move great distances through biological, hydrological and atmospheric processes.
Source: Grant S C H; Ross P S. Southern resident killer whales at risk: Toxic chemicals in the British Columbia and Washington environment. Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 2412: i-xii; 1-111. 2002
Meetings and Conferences
- National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Meeting -
NEJAC will host its next
meeting in Baltimore, Maryland on Dec. 9-12, 2002. The focus will
be on "How can EPA better promote innovation in the field of pollution
prevention waste minimization, and related areas to more effectively
ensure a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for all people,
including low-income, minority and tribal communities?" Call the toll-free NEJAC Hotline at
(888)335-4299 or register at the NEJAC website.
- Alaska Forum on the Environment 2003 -
The Alaska Forum on the Environment will be held February 10-14, 2003, in Anchorage, Alaska.
The Forum provides an opportunity for State, local, Federal, military, private, and Native/Indian leaders and professionals to come together to discuss the latest projects, processes, and issues that affect Alaska.
The Forum will include presentations and panels as well as a session on environmental career opportunities, training classes, social events, vendor displays/information booths, and a "talking circle" with community leaders and tribal elders. Several keynote speakers are featured.
Visit the Forum's website: www.akforum.com.
- Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) Annual Meeting -
The annual meeting will be held at the New Orleans Marriott, December 8-11, 2002. For more information go to the SRA website.
- American Fisheries Society (AFS) 133rd Annual Meeting -
The 2003 annual meeting of the AFS will take place in Québec City, Québec, Canada, from August 10-14, 2003.
The topic this year will be "Worldwide decline of wild fish populations". The deadline for abstract submission is January 20, 2003. For more information, visit the AFS website.
Please email the newsletter if you would like to announce an upcoming meeting, conference, or to submit an article.
For More Information
For more information on EPA's Fish and Wildlife Contamination Program, contact:
Jeffrey Bigler at US EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (4305), Washington, DC 20460;
email: bigler.jeff@epa.gov.
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