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Mercury in Seafood An NGO perspective

Mercury in Seafood An NGO perspective. Kimberly A. Warner, Ph.D. C MERC Workshop September 8, 2010. Seafood Contamination Campaign: Two objectives:. Reduce exposure : Protect at-risk populations. Control Sources : Hg-based Chlor-alkali. Landscape 2005.

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Mercury in Seafood An NGO perspective

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  1. Mercury in SeafoodAn NGO perspective Kimberly A. Warner, Ph.D. C MERC Workshop September 8, 2010

  2. Seafood Contamination Campaign: Two objectives: Reduce exposure: Protect at-risk populations Control Sources: Hg-based Chlor-alkali

  3. Landscape 2005 • Updated 2004 FDA/EPA fish advisory • First time tuna included • New proposed Hg regulations: CAMR, etc. • Push-back by industry, free-enterprise groups • Cast doubt on science on Hg fate and effects

  4. Structure of Anti-regulation Positions • There are no health problems with MeHg • If there are problems, not our fault • Regulations will do nothing to solve imaginary problem • Pushed science to respond: e.g. • METALICUS • NHANES • Mercury 2006 consensus statements

  5. Nutritionists/ Seafood Interests Pushback 2005 NOAA Seafood and Health Conference • Question MeHg RfD and uncertainty • Omega research: neurodevelopment, cardiovascular health, etc, etc. • Selenium • FDA Risk Benefit update • Launch of Fish Scam

  6. Science needed:Methylmercury risk • Update MeHg RfD; constrain uncertainty? • Cardiovascular risks nil? • Selenium modification? • Interaction of multiple contaminants • More transparent risk-benefit studies • Open, transparent dialogue between nutritionists, toxicologists, modelers • Examine specifics, not just averages

  7. Hair mercury levels positively related to fish consumption (p < 0.0001)

  8. Oceana survey in 2005 found high levels of fish consumption and mercury in some popular sport fish Fish Mercury levels Fish mercury levels

  9. (C) Mercury in Top Fish (C) Mercury in Top Fish 0.35 0.35 0.3 0.3 0.25 0.25 0.2 0.2 Top Fish Mercury Level mean (ppm) Top Fish Mercury Level mean (ppm) 0.15 0.15 0.1 0.1 0.05 0.05 0 0 Northern AL Northern AL Coastal AL Coastal AL Regional Differences in: • Hg exposure • Seafood consumption rates • Hg levels in top consumed fish • Northern: catfish, salmon, cod • Coastal: snapper, flounder, grouper • National: shrimp, canned tuna, salmon n= 59 n= 65

  10. Science needed: Consumer protection • ID at-risk populations • Geo-, ethno-, demo- graphic differences • Effective communication strategies on seafood risk/benefit messages • Effectiveness of point of sale signs • More monitoring of nutrient/contaminant levels in seafood supply • Target harvest areas, size class, etc.

  11. Science needed:Reduce seafood contamination • Ocean • What Hg sources methylated? • Where is Hg methylated? • Food chain, location studies • Climate change effects • Multiple contaminant effects • Oil, emerging contaminants, POPs • Sustainability concerns

  12. Temporal Trends? n= 65 n=65

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