Consumption Advisories Research Articles

Co-considering Selenium Concentrations Alters Mercury-Based Fish and Seafood Consumption Advice: A Data Compilation and Critical Assessment

Co-considering Selenium Concentrations Alters Mercury-Based Fish and Seafood Consumption Advice: A Data Compilation and Critical Assessment

Nonlethal detection of PFAS bioaccumulation and biomagnification within fishes in an urban- and wastewater-dominant Great Lakes watershed

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic endocrine disruptors that are particularly stable and pervasive due to strong carbon-fluorine bonds. They are known to bioaccumulate in protein-rich tissues of fish, and most cannot be eliminated with cooking. Despite studies linking PFAS to adverse health outcomes, there is a lack of international regulations of PFAS as a hazardous material. To investigate PFAS in an aquatic food web and the potential human health implications, we analyzed the concentrations of 40 PFAS from muscle biopsy and serum samples of fish representing different trophic levels along the Lake Huron – Lake Erie Corridor. In Summer (2021), walleye (Sander vitreus; WAE), yellow perch (Perca flavescens; YEP) and round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus; ROG) were collected for analysis from the Detroit River (contaminated site) and St. Clair River (reference site). Eight PFAS congeners were detected in muscle and 15 congeners in serum, leading to the novel detection in Great Lakes fish of 7:3 FTCA in muscle and PFHpS, PFNS, MeFOSAA, and EtFOSAA in serum. PFOS was detected in 100% of muscle and serum pools across all species at concentrations lower than those associated with fish toxicity. Muscle PFOS concentration in DR WAE fell under the 8 meals per month (>13 ng–19 ng) fish consumption advisory according to the State of Michigan. Log bioaccumulation factor was significantly different (p = 0.01) among species in DR, driven by higher log BAF for WAE (3.8 ± 0.1) compared to ROG (3.2± 0.02). Biomagnification factor greater than 1 for all species in both rivers indicates that PFOS is biomagnifying in SCR and DR food webs. Successful detection and quantification of PFAS in the muscle and serum of three fish species demonstrates the potential for using this nonlethal sampling method to monitor PFAS and better understand ecological and human health impacts of PFAS exposure.

Contaminants in fish from U.S. rivers: Probability-based national assessments

Most fish consumption advisories in the United States (U.S.) are issued for mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and recently per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a contaminant group that warrants fish consumption advice. An unequal probability survey design was developed to allow a comprehensive characterization of mercury, PCB, and PFAS contamination in fish from U.S. rivers on a national scale. During 2013–14 and 2018–19, fish fillet samples were collected from 353 and 290 river sites, respectively, selected randomly from the target population of rivers (≥5th order in size) in the conterminous U.S. These comprised nationally representative samples, with results extrapolated to chemical-specific sampled populations of 48,826–79,448 river kilometers (km) in 2013–14 and 66,142 river km in 2018–19. National distribution estimates were developed for total mercury, all 209 PCB congeners, and up to 33 PFAS (including perfluorooctane sulfonate or PFOS) in river fish. All fillet tissue samples contained detectable levels of mercury and PCBs. One or more PFAS were detected in 99.7 % and 95.2 % of the fillet samples from fish collected in 2013–14 and 2018–19, respectively. Fish tissue screening levels applied to national contaminant probability distributions allowed an estimation of the percentage of the sampled population of river lengths that contained fish with fillet concentrations above a level protective of human health. Fish tissue screening level exceedances for an average level of fish consumption ranged from 23.5 % to 26.0 % for mercury, 17.3 % to 51.6 % for PCBs, and 0.7 % to 9.1 % for PFOS.

PFAS and Precursor Bioaccumulation in Freshwater Recreational Fish: Implications for Fish Advisories.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of fluorinated anthropogenic chemicals that include perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), which are widely used in modern commerce. Many products and environmental samples contain abundant precursors that can degrade into terminal PFAA associated with adverse health effects. Fish consumption is an important dietary exposure source for PFAS that bioaccumulate in food webs. However, little is known about bioaccumulation of PFAA precursors. Here, we identify and quantify PFAS in recreational fish species collected from surface waters across New Hampshire, US, using a toolbox of analytical methods. Targeted analysis of paired water and tissue samples suggests that many precursors below detection in water have a higher bioaccumulation potential than their terminal PFAA. Perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA), a short-chain precursor produced by electrochemical fluorination, was detected in all fish samples analyzed for this compound. The total oxidizable precursor assay interpreted using Bayesian inference revealed fish muscle tissue contained additional, short-chain precursors in high concentration samples. Suspect screening analysis indicated these were perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors with three and five perfluorinated carbons. Fish consumption advisories are primarily being developed for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), but this work reinforces the need for risk evaluations to consider additional bioaccumulative PFAS, including perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors.

Chemical contaminant levels in edible seaweeds of the Salish Sea and implications for their consumption.

Despite growing interest in edible seaweeds, there is limited information on seaweed chemical contaminant levels in the Salish Sea. Without this knowledge, health-based consumption advisories can not be determined for consumers that include Tribes and First Nations, Asian and Pacific Islander community members, and recreational harvesters. We measured contaminant concentrations in edible seaweeds (Fucus distichus, F. spiralis, and Nereocystis luetkeana) from 43 locations in the Salish Sea. Metals were analyzed in all samples, and 94 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (i.e. 40 PCBs, 15 PBDEs, 17 PCDD/Fs, and 22 organochlorine pesticides) and 51 PAHs were analyzed in Fucus spp. We compared concentrations of contaminants to human health-based screening levels calculated from the USEPA and to international limits. We then worked with six focal contaminants that either exceeded screening levels or international limits (Cd, total Hg, Pb, benzo[a]pyrene [BaP], and PCBs) or are of regional interest (total As). USEPA cancer-based screening levels were exceeded in 30 samples for the PCBs and two samples for BaP. Cadmium concentrations did not exceed the USEPA noncancer-based screening level but did exceed international limits at all sites. Lead exceeded international limits at three sites. Because there are no screening levels for total Hg and total As, and to be conservative, we made comparisons to methyl Hg and inorganic As screening levels. All samples were below the methyl Hg and above the inorganic As screening levels. Without knowledge of the As speciation, we cannot assess the health risk associated with the As. While seaweed was the focus, we did not consider contaminant exposure from consuming other foods. Other chemicals, such as contaminants of emerging concern (e.g., PFAS, pharmaceuticals and personal care products), should also be considered. Additionally, although we focused on toxicological aspects, there are cultural and health benefits of seaweed use that may affect consumer choice.

Control of prenatal exposures to mercury in Europe: harmonized communication of fish-consumption advice to pregnant women combined with human biomonitoring

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Mercury is a substance of high concern globally. It is biotransformed to methylmercury (MeHg), a potent developmental neurotoxicant bioaccumulating in aquatic food chains. Fish consumption during pregnancy can expose the fetus to mercury, but at the same time provides essential nutrients for optimal brain and eye development. The benefits can outweigh the risks if suitable dietary advice is followed. The harmonized European intervention study ‘HBM4EU-MOM’ combined fish consumption advice to pregnant women with human biomonitoring (HBM), to assess and control prenatal exposures to methylmercury. METHODS: Harmonized tools for HBM and communication of dietary advice were developed and applied in five countries (Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Iceland). 654 women, recruited during early pregnancy in 2021, provided hair samples for mercury biomonitoring and extensive information about their fish consumption practices and preferences. Targeted fish consumption advice was communicated to randomized 'intervention participants' of each national cohort and exposures were reassessed after ≥12 weeks. RESULTS: At baseline, the cumulative geometric mean exposure (GM) was 0.59 μg/g, varied across countries from 1.56 μg/g to 0.31 μg/g and correlated with fish-consumption patterns. Around 12% of participants exceeded EFSA’s health-based guidance value (HB-GV = 1.8 μg/g). At reassessment, the mean exposures in the highest exposed countries decreased significantly and the overall number of participants exceeding EFSA’s HB-GV dropped to 7.5%. CONCLUSIONS: European pregnant women may exceed current health-based guidance values for mercury exposure because of inappropriate fish consumption, which can be maintained below HB-GV through suitable consumption. HBM provides a way to evaluate the effectiveness of fish-consumption advice. Harmonized European mercury biomonitoring informs policies to protect human health in vulnerable populations. HBM4EU-MOM was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant No.733032). KEYWORDS: mercury, hair, fish, exposure assessment, human biomonitoring, nutrition, pregnancy, dietary advice

Preferences for seafood consumption advice in pregnant American women

Many women of childbearing age, and pregnant and nursing women in particular, do not consume enough seafood to derive optimal health benefits for themselves and their children. We sought to identify how seafood consumption advice could be designed to encourage pregnant women to eat recommended amounts of seafood. In three focus groups with pregnant or recently pregnant American women, we examined reactions to three aspects of seafood consumption advice. First, we found focus group participants preferred gain-framed statements emphasizing benefits of taking action vs. loss-framed statements emphasizing costs of failing to take action. Many participants indicated the gain-framed statements would encourage them to eat seafood and increase their consumption. Second, we compared responses to a recommendation to eat seafood and a recommendation to eat lower mercury seafood because fear of mercury is a known barrier to seafood consumption by pregnant women. We found no clear preference in our focus groups for either message, suggesting potential value of both messages in communication. Lastly, we examined preferences for systems of categorizing seafood into different consumption categories where the number of categories and the number of species listed in each category varied. We found shorter, dichotomous lists of species to eat and avoid were preferred by some participants for their clarity and ease of use. Longer, more comprehensive lists with additional species and consumption categories (e.g., eat once a week), however, were preferred by many participants because they provided more options and were more likely to be used as a reference. These findings suggest using a layered approach to communication might be helpful by providing short, dichotomous lists of best seafood to eat and seafood to be avoided followed by a link to a longer, more complete list of recommended seafood to be eaten and seafood that should be avoided.

Occurrence, health risk assessment and water quality criteria derivation of six personal care products (PCPs) in Huangpu River, China.

Personal care products (PCPs) have shown adverse health effects on humans. However, their health risk associated with fish consumption and relevant water quality criteria are still not well documented. This study investigated the occurrence and health risk of six PCPs (triclosan, bisphenol-A, and four commonly used organic ultraviolet (UV) filters, i.e., homosalate (HMS), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), oxybenzone (BP-3), and octocrylene (OC)). River water and three trophic levels of fish species were collected from Huangpu River in Shanghai. The concentration range of the six PCPs were 1.48-89.76ng/L in water and 0.40-10.75ng/g dry weight in fish. Estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of the PCPs indicated that consuming these fish would not pose non-carcinogenic risks. The maximum allowable fish consumption rates ranged from 85 to 1760 and 155 to 3230 meals per month for children and adults, respectively. As to the four organic UV filters, it is the first time to report the fish consumption advisories. Finally, the human health ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) values of HMS, 4-MBC, BP-3, OC, TCS, and BPA (i.e., 0.1218, 0.7311, 0.3494, 0.0477, 235.8, and 154.7μg/L, respectively) were proposed, and they can serve as a valuable technical reference for global development and revision of aquatic environmental quality standards for these emerging contaminants.

Herbs as an Active Ingredient in Sport: Availability and Information on the Internet.

The use of supplements containing herbal active ingredients in sport has increased in recent years. Their consumption is explained by the benefits they may provide and because their natural origin do not involve health complications, from the point of view of the consumers. The aim of this study is to analyze the availability of four supplements (caffeine, turmeric, ginseng, cannabidiol) on the internet and understand the nature of these websites. A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study design was used. A detailed search was carried out with specifically developed software. The searches and data evaluation took 10 days. The websites consulted correspond to those that sell supplements, or some sport websites in the case of the Spanish ones, whereas those in English belong to pharmacies, parapharmacies, or herbalists. It is concluded that the websites do not provide adequate information to ensure proper consumption and lack advice on the choices of supplements and their administration guidelines.

Environmental health literacy for Anishinaabe (Great Lakes Native American) fish consumers: A randomized control trial

BackgroundFish consumption comprises an important part of what the Anishinaabe (Great Lakes Native Americans) call “minobimaadiziiwin” which translates roughly to “living in a good way”. Industrial activity leading to the accumulation of persistent contaminants in fish disrupts minobimaadiziiwin. Our team of academic and Anishinaabe scientists co-developed a fish consumption advisory for the Anishinaabe using software that can be accessed via mobile phones and/or the internet. ObjectivesThe software, Gigiigoo’inaan (“our fish”) is designed to improve environmental health literacy using culturally congruent messaging and aesthetics. We tested the following hypotheses: 1) the Gigiigoo’inaan would encourage consumption of fish high in Polyunsaturated Omega-3 fatty acids (PFUA-3) whilst minimizing contaminant intake (methylmercury (MeHg) and Polychorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)); and 2) intervention participants will be more likely than controls to achieve a favorable n-3 PUFA/MeHg consumption ratios. MethodsWe conducted a randomized controlled trial with prospective self-reported fish consumption using automated email surveys. One-month pre and one month post, control and intervention outcome variables were calculated per participant as µg/kg/day of MeHg, µg/kg/day of PCB, g of fish, and mg/day of EPA+DHA. These were modeled using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with a-priori covariates: age, sex, and tribal affiliation. ResultsMost participants in both trial arms reported eating relatively elevated amounts of fish yet remained within advisory guidelines for contaminants. EPA+DHA:MeHg ratios were also favorable in most participants. Advisory limits for contaminants were exceeded by relatively few participants in the study. DiscussionGigiigoo’inaan was previously reported to increase confidence, the current user feedback confirms this. Most participants ate fish but did not exceed the advisory limits, which demonstrates Environmental Health Literacy progress in the region despite a lack of observed behavior change during the trial. A small number of participants exceeded contaminant intake guidelines which matches the pilot work for this study.

Downstream Modification of Mercury in Diverse River Systems Underscores the Role of Local Conditions in Fish Bioaccumulation

Fish consumption advisories for mercury (Hg) are common in rivers, highlighting connections between landscape sources of Hg and downstream fluvial ecosystems. Though watershed conditions can influence concentrations of Hg in smaller streams, how Hg changes downstream through larger rivers and how these changes associate with Hg concentrations in fish is not well understood. Here we present a continuum of concentrations and yields of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) from small tributary systems draining diverse western Canadian headwater landscapes through to major transboundary rivers. We associate these downstream patterns with THg concentrations in tissues of resident fish in major rivers. Mean concentrations and yields of unfiltered THg from over 80 monitored tributaries and major rivers were highly variable in space ranging from 0.28 to 120 ng L−1 and 0.39 to 170 µg ha−1 d−1, respectively. Using spatial data and a hierarchical cluster analysis, we identified three broad categories of tributary catchment conditions. Linear mixed modeling analysis with water quality variables revealed significantly lower THg concentrations in tributaries draining cordillera-foothills (geometric mean: 0.76 ng L−1) regions relative to those draining forested (1.5 ng L−1) and agriculturalized landscapes (2.4 ng L−1), suggesting that sources and mobility of THg in soils and surface waters were different between landscapes. However, these concentration differences were not sustained downstream in major rivers as local sources and sinks of THg in river channels smoothed differences between landscape types. Extensive fish tissue monitoring in major rivers and ANCOVA analysis found that site-specific, river water THg and MeHg concentrations and local catchment conditions were stronger associates of THg concentrations in fish than broader trends in rivers within and across landscape classes. Consequently, site-specific, targeted monitoring of THg and MeHg concentrations in water and fish is a preferred study design when assessing regional-level patterns in fish tissue concentrations.

Fish consumption and advisory awareness in the Great Lakes basin

BackgroundFish is a dietary staple in the United States. Risk of exposure to persistent contaminants through fish consumption is a significant health concern. Great Lakes basin states, along with the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Great Lakes Consortium for Fish Consumption Advisories, have developed and continuously updated fish consumption advisories specifically for the Great Lakes basin residents. ObjectivesTo characterize Great Lakes basin residents' fish consumption and advisory awareness, we conducted a point-in-time survey to describe fish consumption habits and awareness of state and EPA/FDA fish advisories. MethodsWe used a randomized, address-based sampling approach to recruit respondents from the eight Great Lakes basin states. Weighted survey analysis procedures were used to estimate population prevalence of fish consumption habits, state and EPA/FDA advisory awareness, and demographic and background characteristics. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between demographic and background factors and fish consumption and awareness of advisories, respectively. ResultsAbout 92% of respondents, representing an estimated 61 million adults, reported eating fish in the last 12 months. About 64% of respondents only consumed commercial fish, and an estimated 5 million fish consumers exceeded the EPA/FDA recommended limit for fish meals. Minorities were more likely to exceed the EPA/FDA recommended limit. About half of the respondents were aware of state or EPA/FDA advisories; however, minorities and women were less aware of the EPA/FDA advisory. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, sportfish consumption was significantly associated with state advisory awareness; commercial fish consumption was significantly associated with EPA/FDA awareness. DiscussionMost respondents only consumed commercial fish, but an estimated 18.6 million adults consumed sportfish. While half of the fish consumers were aware of state or EPA/FDA advisories, minorities and women continue to be less aware of fish advisories. Improved outreach strategies are needed to inform them about safe fish-consumption guidelines.

Proximity to Riparian Wetlands Increases Mercury Burden in Fish in the Upper St. Lawrence River

Mercury deposited in the Upper St. Lawrence River watershed by atmospheric deposition accumulated in riparian wetlands and is at risk of remobilization due to water level fluctuations. To examine if riparian wetlands are a source of mercury to fish, 174 yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and 145 round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) were collected in 2019 from eight wetland and seven non-wetland habitats throughout the Upper St. Lawrence River. Mercury levels were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in fish collected from wetlands than those collected from non-wetland habitats for both yellow perch and round goby. Perch had mercury concentrations of 74.5 ± 35.4 ng/g dry wt in wetlands compared to 59.9 ± 23.0 ng/g dry wt in non-wetlands. Goby had mercury concentrations of 55.4 ± 13.8 ng/g dry wt in wetlands and non-wetland concentrations of 41.0 ± 14.0 ng/g dry wt. Riparian wetlands are areas of elevated mercury methylation and mobilization in the Upper St. Lawrence River and consequences to predators should be considered from the perspective of both wildlife preservation as well as fish consumption advisories for public health concerns.

Persistent and toxic chemical pollutants in fish consumed by Asians in Chicago, United States

Consumption of seafood brings health benefits but may increase the ingestion of contaminants. Compared with other ethnic groups in the U.S., Asians consume seafood more frequently. However, there is little information about how culturally specific fish consumption contributes to exposure to toxicants. In this work, we surveyed fish consumption among Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese communities and purchased 103 seafood samples from local markets in Chicago. Each sample was analyzed for mercury (Hg) and 92 organic chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and Dechlorane Plus and related compounds (DPs). The rank order of pollutant concentration in all samples was Hg ≫ Σ66PCBs > Σ17OCPs > Σ8PBDEs > Σ8DPs. Positive correlations were noted among most contaminant groups. Bluefish, pike and tuna steak had the highest mean Hg (>1 mg/kg). The mean Σ66PCBs was highest in pike and bluefish (>100 ng/g) followed by pollock and mackerel (>40 ng/g). Overall, octopus, shrimp and tilapia were the least contaminated; while pike, bluefish, and pollock were the most contaminated. Omega-3 fatty acids were more strongly affiliated with the organic contaminants than mercury. A risk assessment identified seven types of fish that should have consumption limitations and six that should not be consumed. For these seafoods, consumption advice based on Hg levels would adequately protect health. In the survey participants, 17% of seafood mass consumed is from types of fish that should be limited to 1 or 2 meals/week, while 7% of the seafood mass consumed comes from types that should not be consumed at all. This work adds additional contaminants to the profile of health risks resulting from fish consumption among Asian Americans, which can be used in interventions aimed at conserving consumption of healthy fish while avoiding contaminants.

Investigating fish contamination scenario and community willingness to adopt consumption advice proposing an advisory option.

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 factors determining the willingness to follow fish consumption advice as well as calculate the risk-benefit ratio and produce the vulnerability map followed by formulating fish consumption advice for consumers of two commercially important fish species, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and mudfish (Ophiocephalus striatus), in the Laguna de Bay area of the Philippines. 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 (P = 0.000). There was no discernible difference in the mean concentration of heavy metals in fish between the dry and wet seasons, with the exception of As concentrations in the samples (t15.75 = 3.72, p < 0.001). The hazard quotient (risk-benefit ratio) for fish consumption (HQefa) was an order of magnitude higher in the mudfish samples (0.05 and 28.28) compared to tilapia (0.04 to 16.02). Binangonan and Taguig from the Northern West Bay (1A, 1B) were clearly recognised on the vulnerability map as the most vulnerable regions in the lake. In general, it was determined that As and Pb were the elements causing consumption restrictions on tilapia collected from various parts of Laguna Lake. As with tilapia, locations with a high-risk advisory for mudfish were identified as the Northern West Bay and Central Bay, with a consumption limit of five meals per month due to excessive mercury pollution. This empirical study can serve as an option for the future development of fish consumption advice in the region.

Dietary Exposure of the Taiwan Population to Mercury Content in Various Seafood Assessed by a Total Diet Study.

This paper examines the health risks of exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) through the consumption of mercury-contaminated seafood in Taiwan, based on the total diet study (TDS) method. Samples of seafood (n = 140) were purchased at fishing harbors or supermarkets and classified into seven categories (pelagic fish, inshore fish, farmed fish, shellfish, cephalopods, crustaceans, and algae). For each sample, we analyzed raw and cooked versions and compared the concentration difference. Total mercury (THg) was detected at the highest rate and in the highest concentrations in pelagic fish, followed by inshore fish and other farmed fish. The average concentration of THg was higher after cooking. In a 75th percentile scenario, the hazard indices for children aged 1 to 3 years and children aged 4 to 6 years were higher than 100% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake. Taking into consideration the risk assessment results, MeHg concentrations, and the nutritional composition of fish, we have provided weekly consumption advisories for children aged 1 to 3 years, children aged 4 to 6 years, and childbearing women aged 19 to 49 years. The weekly consumption advisories for childbearing women are 35 g/week of pelagic fish and 245 g/week of inshore fish based on the risk results from MeHg and the potential benefits from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake.

Fish Consumption Advisory Programs: Opportunities and Challenges for the Protection of Human Health in Canada and the United States

Fish consumption advisories provide valuable information on the protection of human health from contaminated fish consumption, yet are rarely conducted comprehensively nor communicated widely. Environmental policies that fail to adequately develop and implement fish consumption advisory programs are largely to blame. This policy analysis delves into the strengths and weaknesses of current fish consumption advisory programs in the United States and Canada. To compare between these countries, fish consumption advisory programs were broadly described across all 50 US states and 13 Canadian provinces/territories. Two case studies were chosen to provide a more detailed look into the complexities of fish consumption advisory programs (Arizona and Nova Scotia). It is apparent from this research that fish consumption advisory programs and policies do not comprehensively address human health and environmental justice concerns in either country suggesting policy changes are necessary. Opportunities for and barriers to regulatory change in both countries were identified, and suggestions on sharing strong policies were provided. Finally, international frameworks aimed at improving fish consumption advisory programs were explored, mainly those used by the European Union. Environmental justice and human health concerns will only increase given changing environments and emerging toxicological issues; therefore, increased focus on fish consumption advisory programs is warranted. This focus should consider policy change in particular because it can codify human health and environmental justice protections upon which stronger fish consumption advisory programs can be built.

Correlation of Mercury Occurrence with Age, Elemental Composition, and Life History in Sea-Run Food Fish from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago’s Lower Northwest Passage

As mercury emissions continue and climate-mediated permafrost thaw increases the burden of this contaminant in northern waters, Inuit from a Northwest passage community in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago pressed for an assessment of their subsistence catches. Sea-run salmonids (n = 537) comprising Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), lake trout (S. namaycush), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), and cisco (C. autumnalis, C. sardinella) were analyzed for muscle mercury. Methylmercury is a neurotoxin and bioaccumulated with fish age, but other factors including selenium and other elements, diet and trophic level as assessed by stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C), as well as growth rate, condition, and geographic origin, also contributed depending on the species, even though all the fish shared a similar anadromous or sea-run life history. Although mean mercury concentrations for most of the species were ~0.09 µg·g−1 wet weight (ww), below the levels described in several jurisdictions for subsistence fisheries (0.2 µg·g−1 ww), 70% of lake trout were above this guideline (0.35 µg·g−1 ww), and 19% exceeded the 2.5-fold higher levels for commercial sale. We thus urge the development of consumption advisories for lake trout for the protection of pregnant women and young children and that additionally, periodic community-based monitoring be initiated.

Evaluation the metal content of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in in fish species Gerres filamentosus (Cuvier, 1829) in Gianh river at Quang Trach district, Quang Binh province

In recent years the fish consumption advisories for the population has become of great concern. The flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS) was applied to determine the copper, maganese and zinc content in fish species Gerres filamentosus (Cuvier, 1829) from Gianh river at Quang Tranh distric, Quang Binh province. This method had a high repeatability with RSD 4.3%, the recovery from 94 % to 106 %, and low limit of detection. Our results showed that the average concentration of copper, maganese and zinc in fish species Gerres filamentosus (Cuvier, 1829) were 0.388 ÷ 0.601 mg/kg fresh; 0.261 ÷ 0.321 mg/kg fresh and 7.325 ÷ 10.120 mg/kg fresh, respectively. These concentration were within the allowed limits according to the regulation No. 46/BYT 2007. Our results give important finding about the consumption limits on certain metals, especially for Cu, Mn and Zn, all for minimizing potential health risks in population and related risk-based consumption limits for adults and children.

Oral cancer awareness in patients attending university dental clinics: A scoping review of Australian studies.

This scoping review was carried out to evaluate the important role Australian university-based dental teaching clinics and dental students might have in promoting oral cancer awareness in their patients. Four Online database (PubMed, OVID, Scopus and Emcare) were searched for studies that assessed oral cancer awareness amongst patients attending Australian university-associated (teaching) clinics. A total of five articles were retrieved for full-text analysis. All studies showed significant variation in patient awareness and understanding regarding the principal risk factors associated with oral cancer development. Smoking was predominantly identified as a significant risk factor, but alcohol consumption was less frequently recognized as relevant. Non-healing ulceration was most commonly identified as a symptom of concern, whilst red and/or white mucosal patches were infrequently recognized as potentially malignant conditions. Our review confirms that a significant lack of patient awareness regarding oral cancer risk and the signs /symptoms of early malignancy or potentially malignant disease exist in patients attending dental teaching clinics. Important opportunities exist to involve dental students proactively in raising oral cancer awareness, delivering smoking cessation interventions and safe alcohol consumption advice to their patients. Incorporation of established health educational models might deliver effective support for such student-delivered patient education.