FISH CONSUMPTION AND BODY BURDEN OF POLLUTANTS IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ANGLERS

Abstract

ISEE-260 Introduction: The Hudson River was identified by the EPA as a Superfund site in 1983. It has been contaminated with persistent environmental pollutants, most notably PCBs, as well as other organochlorines and mercury. Several studies of the river have shown bioaccumulation of pollutants in fish samples. Despite the New York and New Jersey health advisories on fish consumption, many anglers and their family members continue to consume fish caught from the river. This study examined the association between intake of locally caught fish and body burdens of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other pollutants in New York and New Jersey anglers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the lower Hudson River area and surrounding waters that measured the association between self-reported species-specific food consumption and blood levels of PCBs and mercury. One hundred sixty-eight anglers were recruited from seven geographic locations between 2001 and 2003. Participants were administered a detailed questionnaire regarding fishing practices and consumption and were asked to provide a blood sample. Results: Participants were predominantly white (57%), male (84%) and reported incomes of less than $50,000 a year (71%). About half of the anglers had been fishing from local waters for more than 20 years (52%) and reported fishing at least once a week (54%). Thirty-four per cent of anglers reported eating fish or crabs from local waters at least once a week. The three most commonly consumed species of fish were striped bass (55%), fluke (55%) and blue fish (49%). The strongest associations between intake and body burden of pollutants were observed for anglers consuming blue crabs or striped bass. Associations differed by geographic area sampled, however positive associations were found between species-specific intake and serum levels of PCBs. For example, body burdens of total PCBs was associated with consumption of striped bass (age adjusted geometric means (GM) for low GM=2.66, medium GM=2.58 and high consumption GM=4.55) and blue crabs (low GM=2.38, medium GM=2.80 and high GM=4.67). Discussion: The findings of this study indicate that persistent pollutants enter the bodies of some anglers who consume fish from the lower Hudson River waters. This association may be dependent on the area anglers fish most often or the demographics of the population. Future study results will provide more detailed species-specific information regarding the body burdens of pollutants for local anglers.