Mercury exposure from domestic and imported estuarine and marine fish in the U.S. seafood market.BACKGROUND: Methylmercury methylmercury Dimethyl mercury Toxicology An inorganic mercury industrial pollutant; it is concentrated up the food chain, teratogenic and causes severe CNS defects in children whose mothers consumed MM-contaminated seafood while pregnant. See Mercury, Minamata disease. exposure causes a variety of adverse effects on human health. Per capita [Latin, By the heads or polls.] A term used in the Descent and Distribution of the estate of one who dies without a will. It means to share and share alike according to the number of individuals. estimates of mercury exposure are critical for risk assessments and for developing effective risk management strategies. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the impact of natural stochasticity in mercury concentrations among fish and shellfish shellfish, popular name for certain edible mollusks (see Mollusca), e.g., oysters, clams, and scallops, and for certain edible crustaceans, e.g., crabs, lobsters, and shrimps. All are aquatic invertebrates with shells; they are not fish. harvested from the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean [Lat.,=of Atlas], second largest ocean (c.31,800,000 sq mi/82,362,000 sq km; c.36,000,000 sq mi/93,240,000 sq km with marginal seas). Physical Geography Extent and Seas , Pacific Ocean, and foreign shores on estimated mercury exposures. METHODS: Mercury concentrations and seafood seafood Edible aquatic animals excluding mammals, but including both freshwater and ocean creatures. Seafood includes bony and cartilaginous fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, edible jellyfish, sea turtles, frogs, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. consumption are grouped by supply region (Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and foreign shores). Distributions of intakes from this study are compared with values obtained using national FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. (Food and Drug Administration) mercury survey data to assess the significance of geographic variability in mercury concentrations on exposure estimates. RESULTS: Per capita mercury intake rates calculated using FDA mercury data differ significantly from those based on mercury concentration data for each supply area and intakes calculated for the 90th percentile percentile, n the number in a frequency distribution below which a certain percentage of fees will fall. E.g., the ninetieth percentile is the number that divides the distribution of fees into the lower 90% and the upper 10%, or that fee level of mercury concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in reported mercury concentrations can significantly affect per capita mercury intake estimates, pointing to the importance of spatially refined mercury concentration data. This analysis shows that national exposure estimates are most influenced by reported concentrations in imported tuna tuna or tunny, game and food fishes, the largest members of the family Scombridae (mackerel family) and closely related to the albacore and bonito. They have streamlined bodies with two fins, and five or more finlets on the back. , swordfish swordfish, large food and game fish, Xiphias gladius, of the warmer Atlantic and Pacific waters, related to the sailfish. It is named for its sharp, broad, elongated upper jaw, which it uses to flail and pierce its prey of smaller fish, rising beneath a school , and shrimp; Pacific pollock; and Atlantic crabs Crabs An informal or slang term for pubic lice. Mentioned in: Lice Infestation crabs Pubic lice, see there . Collecting additional mercury concentration data for these seafood categories would improve the accuracy of national exposure estimates. KEY WORDS: Atlantic, fish imports, methylmercury, ocean, Pacific, per capita mercury intake, tuna. Environ en·vi·ron tr.v. en·vi·roned, en·vi·ron·ing, en·vi·rons To encircle; surround. See Synonyms at surround. [Middle English envirounen, from Old French environner Health Perspect 115:235-242 (2007). doi:10.1289/ehp.9377 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 20 November 2006] ********** Human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) causes a variety of adverse health effects, including developmental delays developmental delay n. A chronological delay in the appearance of normal developmental milestones achieved during infancy and early childhood, caused by organic, psychological, or environmental factors. in children of exposed mothers (Cohen cohen or kohen (Hebrew: “priest”) Jewish priest descended from Zadok (a descendant of Aaron), priest at the First Temple of Jerusalem. The biblical priesthood was hereditary and male. et al. 2005) and deficits in neurocognitive function in adults (Yokoo et al. 2003). Blood MeHg concentrations in individuals are strongly correlated cor·re·late v. cor·re·lat·ed, cor·re·lat·ing, cor·re·lates v.tr. 1. To put or bring into causal, complementary, parallel, or reciprocal relation. 2. with the frequency and types of seafood The following is a partial list of types of seafood. Seafood includes fish, shellfish, and roe. The list includes markings which summarize the assessment of Monterey Bay Aquarium about how well managed the world's supply of that seafood source is, as of 2004: v. con·sumed, con·sum·ing, con·sumes v.tr. 1. To take in as food; eat or drink up. See Synonyms at eat. 2. a. (Mahaffey et al. 2004). However, even for pregnant women, consuming seafood has a variety of health benefits when dietary MeHg intake is known to be low (e.g., Daniels et al. 2004; Mozaffarian and Rimm 2006). Regulatory agencies regulatory agency Independent government commission charged by the legislature with setting and enforcing standards for specific industries in the private sector. The concept was invented by the U.S. rely on information about how individuals are exposed to MeHg to evaluate trade-offs among health benefits from fish consumption and potential risks of MeHg exposure. In the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , MeHg risk management takes the form of both advisories recommending limits on amounts of high-Hg fish consumed and regulations that control emissions from human sources. Assessing the effectiveness of both strategies in terms of changes in human exposure requires data on a) geographic supply regions for fish consumed by the U.S. population, and b) concentrations of Hg in fish and shellfish. Comparing the supply of fisheries fisheries. From earliest times and in practically all countries, fisheries have been of industrial and commercial importance. In the large N Atlantic fishing grounds off Newfoundland and Labrador, for example, European and North American fishing fleets have long products for all individuals from the commercial market (18.9 g/person/day, 2000-2002) [National Marine Fisheries Service The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is a United States federal agency. A division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Commerce, NMFS is responsible for the stewardship and management of the nation's living marine (NMFS NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NMFS National Mortality Followback Survey NMFS Network Multimedia File System NMFS Nested Mount File System ) 2003] to the total intake from dietary recall surveys (16.9 g/person/day, uncooked fish weight, 1994-1996, 1998) [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), independent agency of the U.S. government, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, and radiation and to ensure the safe handling and (EPA EPA eicosapentaenoic acid. EPA abbr. eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, n.pr See acid, eicosapentaenoic. EPA, n. ) 2002] shows that mean consumption estimates are comparable in magnitude. Hence, across the entire U.S. population, most seafood consumed comes from the commercial market. Estuarine es·tu·a·rine adj. 1. Of, relating to, or found in an estuary. 2. Geology Formed or deposited in an estuary. Adj. 1. estuarine - of or relating to or found in estuaries estuarial and marine fish and shellfish dominate the edible supply of fish in the commercial market, comprising > 90% of the market share (Carrington et al. 2004). Thus, dietary intake of MeHg from estuarine and marine seafood accounts for most exposure in the U.S. population. Although many studies have investigated how variability in amounts and types of fish consumed affects MeHg exposure, few addressed uncertainties resulting from natural stochasticity in MeHg concentrations within seafood categories in the commercial market. Instead, most studies rely on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) survey data to characterize Hg concentration distributions (e.g., Carrington and Bolger 2002; Carrington et al. 2004; Mahaffey et al. 2004; Tran et al. 2004). However, FDA survey data are usually aggregated into one mean Hg concentration for each commercial market category. This can be problematic because each market category (e.g., fresh and frozen tuna) may describe a number of different biological species (e.g., for tuna: albacore albacore: see tuna. albacore Large oceanic tuna (Thunnus alalunga) that is noted for its fine flesh. The streamlined bodies of these voracious predators are adapted to fast and continuous swimming. , bigeye big·eye n. Any of several small tropical marine fishes of the family Priacanthidae, having large eyes and reddish scales. Noun 1. , bluefin, skipjack skipjack: see herring. (cryptography) SkipJack - An encryption algorithm created by the NSA (National Security Agency) which encrypts 64-bit blocks of data with an 80-bit key. , yellowfin) with different growth rates Growth Rates The compounded annualized rate of growth of a company's revenues, earnings, dividends, or other figures. Notes: Remember, historically high growth rates don't always mean a high rate of growth looking into the future. and dietary preferences that affect Hg bioaccumulation bi·o·ac·cu·mu·la·tion n. The increase in the concentration of a substance, especially a contaminant, in an organism or in the food chain over time. . In addition, fish and shellfish in the commercial market consist of domestic landings from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and imported species from a variety of countries. Many researchers have reported geographic variability in Hg concentrations among commercially important fish and shellfish species. For example, various tuna species caught in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean oceans have significantly different length- and weight-normalized tissue Hg residues (Adams 2004; Anderson Anderson, river, Canada Anderson, river, c.465 mi (750 km) long, rising in several lakes in N central Northwest Territories, Canada. It meanders north and west before receiving the Carnwath River and flowing north to Liverpool Bay, an arm of the Arctic and Depledge 1997; Brooks 2004; Morrisey et al. 2004; Storelli et al. 2002). In addition, although imported shrimp make up a large fraction of domestic seafood consumption (NMFS 2003), Hg concentrations reported by the FDA are typically below detection limits (FDA 2006a, 2006b). However, measured Hg concentrations in shrimp caught in a variety of countries vary by an order of magnitude A change in quantity or volume as measured by the decimal point. For example, from tens to hundreds is one order of magnitude. Tens to thousands is two orders of magnitude; tens to millions is three orders of magnitude, etc. (Minganti et al. 1996; Plessi et al. 2001; Ruelas-Izunza et al. 2004). Although high Hg concentrations can sometimes be attributed to sampling at contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. sites (Chvojka et al. 1990) or age and size classes of fish not commonly found in the commercial seafood market, Burger et al. (2005) also found significant differences between nationwide FDA values and Hg levels in fish sold in seafood markets in the New Jersey region. Based on these data, we can hypothesize hy·poth·e·size v. hy·poth·e·sized, hy·poth·e·siz·ing, hy·poth·e·siz·es v.tr. To assert as a hypothesis. v.intr. To form a hypothesis. that variability in Hg intakes within each species category in the commercial market is not adequately captured by grouping Hg concentrations in fish caught in geographically diverse regions into a single population mean. Better resolution in Hg concentration data used for exposure assessments may be obtained by grouping survey data by the origin of each marine and estuarine seafood product in the commercial market. This study assessed how estimated Hg exposure from estuarine and marine seafood in the U.S. population is affected by variability in Hg concentrations among different supply regions. To do this, supply of fisheries products were divided into categories based on the geographic sources of seafood in the commercial market consumed by the U.S. population. Expected Hg intake rates for different age groups, such as children and women of childbearing child·bear·ing n. Pregnancy and parturition. child  bear ing adj. age, were modeled using Hg
concentration data from each supply region, market share, and total
consumption of each species from the NMFS (2001, 2002, 2003). Data from
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Continuing Survey of Food
Intake by Individuals (CSFII CSFII Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (USDA) ) (U.S. EPA 2002) and the National Health
and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES NHANES National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (US CDC) ) (NCHS NCHS National Center for Health StatisticsNCHS Naperville Central High School (Illinois) NCHS North Central High School NCHS Natrona County High School (Wyoming) NCHS National Center for Health Services 2006) provided information on variability in consumption patterns and body weights in the U.S. population. Distributions of intakes calculated in this study from geographically explicit Hg data were compared with values obtained using FDA Hg concentrations to assess whether variability in Hg concentrations by species and geographic regions significantly affects per capita intakes used to evaluate risks associated with Hg exposure. Geographically referenced exposure data provide a building block for quantitatively assessing how global changes in environmental Hg concentrations will affect human exposure to Hg in the United States. Methods Species considered in this analysis comprise 77% of the total domestic landings reported by the NMFS for the years 2000-2002 and > 90% of the edible supply of fisheries products (NMFS 2001, 2002, 2003). The remaining domestic landings are freshwater fresh·wa·ter adj. 1. Of, relating to, living in, or consisting of water that is not salty: freshwater fish; freshwater lakes. 2. Situated away from the sea; inland. 3. species or are used for industrial purposes (i.e., fish oils, bait bait a preparation containing a palatable food substance such as raw meat, carrot or bran and a pharmaceutical or poisonous substance. The purpose is to introduce the medicament or poison into the unsuspecting animal. , animal meal). Total dietary intake of Hg in the U.S. population from estuarine and marine fish and shellfish was modeled using data on the supply of fisheries products in the commercial market and their corresponding Hg concentrations. The supply of fisheries products is divided into four main categories, whereas Hg concentration data are split into three geographic designations. A fourth category was needed for supply because a portion of domestic landings (landings of fish and shellfish reported by domestic vessels) are actually harvested from the high seas high seas In maritime law, the waters lying outside the territorial waters of any and all states. In the Middle Ages, a number of maritime states asserted sovereignty over large portions of the high seas. (beyond the 200-mi exclusive economic zone marking U.S. waters) and at foreign ports. Hence, supply categories include a) Atlantic landings, b) Pacific landings, c) high seas and foreign ports landings, and d) imported seafood products that were not caught by U.S. vessels. Distributions of Hg concentration data for the Atlantic, Pacific, and "imported" seafood products were collected from a broad literature survey that included state and government databases (Table 1). Where primary data were available, distributions were fitted to the observed concentration values for different species. In cases where only means and SDs were reported, generic lognormal log·nor·mal adj. Mathematics Of, relating to, or being a logarithmic function with a normal distribution. log distributional forms were assumed, as in other studies (e.g., Carrington and Bolger 2002; Carrington et al. 2004). Supply of fisheries products. I used data on domestic landings, imports, exports, and re-exports reported by the NMFS (2001, 2002, 2003) to estimate the supply of fishery products from each region. All data were averaged over 3 years (2000-2002) to eliminate harvesting anomalies that might have occurred in an individual year. This study used NMFS data to estimate per capita consumption and to link each fisheries product back to its geographic origin. Annual consumption for the whole population, calculated using NMFS data, is also useful for inferring longer-term fish consumption trends that may not be captured by shorter dietary recall surveys such as NHANES (NCHS 2006) and CSFII (U.S. EPA 2002). For each species considered, I calculated supply using information on domestic landings, imports, exports, and re-exports. To determine supply, exports were subtracted from edible weights of domestic landings, and re-exports (exports of imported products) were subtracted from imports. All landings were compiled for each individual species of fish or shellfish and then aggregated into commercial market categories, such as salmon, crab, shark shark, member of a group of almost exclusively marine and predaceous fishes. There are about 250 species of sharks, ranging from the 2-ft (60-cm) pygmy shark to 50-ft (15-m) giants. They are found in all seas, but are most abundant in warm waters. , and tuna, that consist of multiple species. I converted domestic landings reported in live (whole fish) weights (NMFS 2006) to edible weights using information on the disposition of domestic landings (e.g., production of fillets and steaks, canned products, cured products) (NMFS 2001, 2002, 2003) and conversion factors for individual species and processed seafood products. Conversions of live weight to edible weight were obtained from ranges in edible yields for each fish species and seafood product reported by several data compilations [Crapo et al. 1993; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Noun 1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - the United Nations agency concerned with the international organization of food and agriculture FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO FAO, n See Food and Agriculture Organization. ) 1989, 2004; Pacific Seafood Group 2006; Rick et al. 2002]. Although edible yields used in the present study represent averages or best estimates from these compilations, actual edible yields vary depending on factors such as condition of the fish and processing technique (Crapo et al. 1993; FAO 1989). Domestic landings were divided by ocean (Atlantic or Pacific) and by distance from shore. Distance from shore where harvest occurred provides data on quantity of fish caught in U.S. waters relative to those landed outside of the 200-mi exclusive economic zone (high seas) and foreign ports. I estimated market share (percent) from the total supply of estuarine and marine seafood for each category in the commercial market. Total supply of each fisheries product was scaled to match per capita consumption reported by the NMFS (2001, 2002, 2003), after accounting for the market share occupied by freshwater species based on Carrington et al. (2004). Results provide a total quantity of seafood consumed by the U.S. population for each source category (i.e., Atlantic, Pacific, high seas and foreign ports, and imports). Hg concentration data. I obtained information von the distribution of Hg concentrations in the commercial market from a variety of literature sources as well as from state and federal databases (Table 1). In cases where a variety of biological species are lumped into a single market category, Hg concentrations have been weighted by the fraction of landings of each species in each particular harvesting region. For example, reported domestic landings of 19 different species make up the commercial market category "crabs" (NMFS v2006). Based on total landings, important crab species in the commercial market are Atlantic rock (Cancer irroratus), blue (Callinectes sapidus), dungeness (Cancer magister MAGISTER. A master, a ruler, one whose learning and position makes him superior to others, thus: one who has attained to a high degree, or eminence, in science and literature, is called a master; as, master of arts. ), king (Paralithodes camtschatica), Florida snow claws (Menippe mercenaria), and snow/tanner (Chinoecetes spp.). Hg concentrations from Atlantic Ocean harvests were characterized char·ac·ter·ize tr.v. character·ized, character·iz·ing, character·iz·es 1. To describe the qualities or peculiarities of: characterized the warden as ruthless. 2. using available data for the species harvested in that region (e.g., Atlantic rock, blue, and Florida stone claws) weighted by the portion of landings accounted for by each species. For some species (e.g., orange roughy The orange roughy, red roughy, or deep sea perch, Hoplostethus atlanticus, is a relatively large deep-sea fish belonging to the slimehead family (Trachichthyidae). This fish is categorized as vulnerable to exploitation by the Marine Conservation Society. , skate skate, fish: see ray. skate Any of nine genera (suborder Rajoidea) of rounded to diamond-shaped rays. These bottom-dwellers are found from tropical to near-Arctic waters and from the shallows to depths of more than 9,000 ft (2,700 m). , tilefish tilefish, common name for a superior and brilliantly colored food fish of temperate and tropical waters, marked by fleshy flaps on the top of the head and at the corners of the mouth. It is a bottom feeder reaching 3 ft (91 cm) in length and 35 lb (15.8 kg) in weight. ), no additional data other than FDA reported values (FDA 2006a, 2006b) were available (see Table 1 for details). In these cases, FDA data were used as a default. For comparative purposes between the present analysis and intakes calculated using FDA mean concentrations (FDA 2006a, 2006b), species reported as nondetects by the FDA were assigned as·sign tr.v. as·signed, as·sign·ing, as·signs 1. To set apart for a particular purpose; designate: assigned a day for the inspection. 2. a default value of 0.01 mg/kg. This default value was generally lower than Hg concentrations reported by other studies (Table 1). One uncertainty in Hg concentration data for each species that has not been accounted for in this study is the fraction of total Hg present as MeHg in edible tissue (%MeHg). Although previous research by Bloom bloom 1. the general appearance of the surface. In carcass meat it is the glistening, transparent effect and the gentle pink color that gives a good bloom to the carcass. It is the result of proper tissue hydration coupled with the correct proportions of fat, connective tissue and (1992) suggested that 95% of Hg in selected fish and invertebrates is MeHg, selected studies that have continued to measure MeHg in estuarine and marine species show considerable variability in %MeHg among different harvesting regions (e.g., Baeyens et al. 2003; Forsyth et al. 2004; Mason et al. 2006). Presently, data on %MeHg are insufficient to characterize regional variability among commercial species. Hence, I have not applied corrections for the fraction of total Hg present as MeHg. Statistical analyses and per capita intake estimates. For each species, variability in Hg concentrations reported in the literature was summarized using the mean [+ or -] SD and median of the observed data. I used Hg concentration distributions for each species as input values or uncertainties in the exposure model used to calculate total Hg intake for the population from estuarine and marine seafood. Supply of each seafood category was multiplied mul·ti·ply 1 v. mul·ti·plied, mul·ti·ply·ing, mul·ti·plies v.tr. 1. To increase the amount, number, or degree of. 2. Mathematics To perform multiplication on. by the corresponding distribution of Hg concentrations using a Monte Carlo Monte Carlo (môNtā` kärlō`), town (1982 pop. 13,150), principality of Monaco, on the Mediterranean Sea and the French Riviera. analysis to give percentiles of predicted Hg intakes. Intakes were then divided by the average U.S. population to calculate baseline The horizontal line to which the bottoms of lowercase characters (without descenders) are aligned. See typeface. baseline - released version per capita intake (micrograms of Hg per person per year). I analyzed an·a·lyze tr.v. an·a·lyzed, an·a·lyz·ing, an·a·lyz·es 1. To examine methodically by separating into parts and studying their interrelations. 2. Chemistry To make a chemical analysis of. 3. the sensitivity of model results (total Hg intake in the U.S. population) using Crystal Ball 7.2.1 (Decisioneering, Inc., Denver, CO) by ranking Hg distributions for each species by their importance (contribution to overall variance The discrepancy between what a party to a lawsuit alleges will be proved in pleadings and what the party actually proves at trial. In Zoning law, an official permit to use property in a manner that departs from the way in which other property in the same locality ) in intake rates. Contributions to variance were calculated by squaring the rank correlation In statistics, rank correlation is the study of relationships between different rankings on the same set of items. It deals with measuring correspondence between two rankings, and assessing the significance of this correspondence. coefficients between every Hg concentration and every estimated intake and normalizing the results to 100%. Differences between Hg concentrations and intakes for different supply regions and those based on FDA Hg data (FDA 2006a, 2006b) were analyzed for statistical significance using t-tests for paired means. To extrapolate extrapolate - extrapolation per capita Hg intakes to individual exposure, I used differences in fish consumption, body weights, and meal sizes from CSFII (U.S. EPA 2002) and NHANES (NCHS 2006) to compute To perform mathematical operations or general computer processing. For an explanation of "The 3 C's," or how the computer processes data, see computer. scaling factors that account for demographic variability. Scaling factors were multiplied by the mean per capita Hg intake to allow for variability in fish consumption rates. Average body weights are based on NHANES survey data for 1999-2002 (NCHS 2006). Resulting variability in Hg intake estimates for each demographic group (micrograms of Hg per kilogram kilogram, abbr. kg, fundamental unit of mass in the metric system, defined as the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram, a platinum-iridium cylinder kept at Sèvres, France, near Paris. body weight per day) facilitates comparison with the U.S. EPA reference dose (RfD) [National Research Council (NRC NRC abbr. 1. National Research Council 2. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Noun 1. NRC - an independent federal agency created in 1974 to license and regulate nuclear power plants ) 2000] for MeHg and the potential for adverse health effects in the population. Results Differences between seafood consumption rates calculated in the present study using NMFS data (NMFS 2001, 2002, 2003) and intake data from CSFII (uncooked weight, all individuals) (U.S. EPA 2002) shown in Figure 1A are relatively small (relative error of absolute differences < 3%). These results indicate that NMFS data compiled in this study provide a reasonable inventory of fish consumption for all individuals in the United States. Differences are most pronounced for estimated pollock consumption. However, this variability may be explained in part by greater uncertainty among participants identifying highly processed products such as fish sticks and imitation imitation, in music, a device of counterpoint wherein a phrase or motive is employed successively in more than one voice. The imitation may be exact, the same intervals being repeated at the same or different pitches, or it may be free, in which case numerous types meats, which are frequently pollock. For estuarine and marine species, tuna are the dominant source of Hg intake across the entire U.S. population, accounting for 39% of total intake calculated from Hg concentration data compiled in the present study and 43% using FDA Hg concentration data (FDA 2006a, 2006b) (Figure 1B). Intake from tuna products in this category includes fresh and frozen tuna (11%), canned light tuna (18%), and canned albacore/white tuna (10%). Other significant sources of Hg include swordfish (8%), pollock (8%), shrimp (5%), and cod (4.5%). When Hg data for each supply region (imported, Atlantic, Pacific) and the FDA (Table 1) are condensed con·dense v. con·densed, con·dens·ing, con·dens·es v.tr. 1. To reduce the volume or compass of. 2. To make more concise; abridge or shorten. 3. Physics a. into a single population, the median values Noun 1. median value - the value below which 50% of the cases fall median statistics - a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population (Figure 2A) and mean of means from each sample set are comparable in magnitude. Accordingly, statistical tests show that overall mean Hg concentrations for each supply region do not differ significantly from FDA (Table 1) values (p > 0.05, t-test, paired means). In contrast, Figure 2B shows the statistically significant differences between Hg intake rates calculated using Hg concentration data for each supply area and those based on FDA Hg data (Table 1) (p < 0.05, t-test, paired means). These statistical differences are even greater when comparing per capita intake based on FDA Hg data to intake calculated using the 90th percentile Hg concentrations for species from each geographic region (p < 0.01, t-test, paired means). Seafood categories with no geographically specific Hg data other than FDA values were excluded from this sample comparison. Model sensitivity analysis shows that variability in Hg concentrations in imported canned light tuna has the greatest relative effect on variance in forecasted total Hg intake. Summed over all seafood categories and for all geographic regions, modeled intake rates are most sensitive to variability in Hg concentrations in imported canned light tuna (64% of the total variance), followed by imported fresh and frozen tuna (11%), imported swordfish (7%), Pacific pollock (6%), imported canned albacore tuna (5%), Atlantic crab (3%), and imported shrimp (1%). Variability in Hg concentrations in remaining seafood categories accounts for the remaining variance in intakes. Discussion Population-wide Hg intake. Results for population-wide Hg intakes from different seafood categories (Figure 1B) are generally consistent with estimates from other studies showing the dominant role of both frequently consumed species, such as canned tuna and pollock, and high Hg species such as swordfish (Carrington and Bolger 2002; Carrington et al. 2004) on overall exposures. When considering trade-offs among potential risks and benefits from seafood consumption (Mozaffarian and Rimm 2006), it is useful to note that most species, regardless of geographic origin, are fairly low in Hg (0.10-0.15 mg/kg) and contribute relatively small amounts to Hg exposure in the U.S. population (Figure 2). Model sensitivity analysis indicates that collecting additional monitoring data for tuna species common in the commercial market, as well as swordfish, shrimp, Pacific pollock, and Atlantic crabs, would result in the greatest improvements in per capita exposure estimates. In particular, additional data on differences in tuna concentrations among global harvest regions are needed to improve the reliability of Hg exposure estimates for public health protection. Using average market sizes of tuna to normalize normalize to convert a set of data by, for example, converting them to logarithms or reciprocals so that their previous non-normal distribution is converted to a normal one. measured Hg concentrations constrains concentrations to ranges most likely to be found in the market and consumed (Table 2). For example, published regression regression, in psychology: see defense mechanism. regression In statistics, a process for determining a line or curve that best represents the general trend of a data set. relationships for albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) show that for the average market size (12 kg), concentrations in tuna from the Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Sea [Lat.,=in the midst of lands], the world's largest inland sea, c.965,000 sq mi (2,499,350 sq km), surrounded by Europe, Asia, and Africa. Geography The Mediterranean is c.2,400 mi (3,900 km) long with a maximum width of c. (0.87 mg/kg) are higher than those in the Atlantic (0.47 mg/kg) and Pacific (0.17 mg/kg) oceans (Table 2). This is not unexpected because the Mediterranean is naturally enriched in cinnabar cinnabar (sĭn`əbär), mineral, the sulfide of mercury, HgS. Deep red in color, it is used as a pigment (see vermilion), but principally it is a source of the metal mercury. deposits (Bacci 1989), and total and methyl methyl (mĕth`əl), CH3, organic free radical or alkyl group derived from methane by the removal of one hydrogen atom. Hg concentrations in subsurface sub·sur·face adj. Of, relating to, or situated in an area beneath a surface, especially the surface of the earth or of a body of water. Adj. 1. ocean water appear to be higher than in the Atlantic or North Pacific (Mason and Gill gill, in weights and measures gill, in weights and measures: see English units of measurement. 2005). Preliminary data for bluefin and yellowfin tuna are consistent with trends observed for albacore tuna (Table 3). However, few data describing the geographic origin or species composition of tuna in canned products are available, making it difficult to establish a relationship between Hg concentrations in live tuna and those in canned tuna consumed in the United States. Additional Hg concentration data resolved by harvest region for tuna should be a priority for future study, given the importance of variability in tuna concentrations, especially canned products, on overall Hg exposure levels. Per capita Hg intakes and individual exposure. Having established that geographic variability of Hg concentrations in different species affects per capita intakes, one naturally desires a further analysis incorporating variability in quantities of seafood and selections of species chosen by individuals. Unfortunately, available survey data [NHANES, CSFII (NCHS 2006; U.S. EPA 2002)] do not yet include the geographic origin of fish consumed. Thus, dietary survey data alone do not enable a combined analysis of geographic variability and individual diet choices of species. However, using NMFS data compiled in the present study, one can combine geographic variability of Hg concentrations with individual choices of seafood quantity. This partially accounts for observed differences between nationwide averages and fish consumption among populations susceptible to Hg exposure (Moya 2004). To explore Hg intakes among high fish consumers, the combined NMFS and CSFII data (e.g., NCHS 2006; U.S. EPA 2002) were applied to predict per capita Hg intakes at various quantities of fish consumed. Although it reflects a population average, market share occupied by each species (NMFS 2001, 2002, 2003) provides a proxy for individual diet selection (Figure 1A). In Table 3, the rows reflect percentiles of exposures based on seafood Hg levels that vary both geographically and across species. The columns reflect variability in exposures as a function of the quantity of seafood consumed by different demographic groups. Table 3 shows that, at the 90th percentile consumption rate, exposures based on fish Hg means reported by the FDA (Table 1) would suggest that any individual selecting this proxy diet would be exposed to Hg at levels below the U.S. EPA RfD (NRC 2000). However, exposures based on geographic variability in fish Hg suggest that a fraction of each demographic group will exceed the U.S. EPA RfD. To explore the impact of assuming this proxy diet, these results can be compared with exposure assessments that incorporate information on diet selection variability. Relying only on dietary survey data and fish Hg averages, a complementary analysis performed by Tran et al. (2004) showed exposures for children and women of childbearing age. Their resulting 90th and 95th percentile exposures, 0.12 and 0.20 [micro]g/kg/day, respectively, fall within the ranges of exposure predicted by this study for 90th and 95th percentile fish consumers (0.07-0.29 and 0.11-0.46 [micro]g/kg/day, respectively). These ranges result from considering geographic variability in fish Hg concentrations. To go beyond the present analysis, one would need intake estimates that combine fish harvest region with consumption quantities and species selection. Variability in fish Hg concentrations may help to explain differences in mean and 90th percentile blood Hg concentrations observed for Atlantic coastal residents (2.7 and 7.7 [micro]g/L, respectively) relative to those measured in Pacific coastal residents (1.7 and 4.7 [micro]g/L, respectively) (Mahaffey 2005). Table 4 shows the impact of variations in fish Hg across harvest regions on estimated exposures for women of childbearing age as a function of meal frequency (NHANES 1999-2000) and meal size (CSFII 1994-1998) (Mahaffey et al. 2004; U.S. EPA 2002). Women of childbearing age and average weight (73 kg) consuming more than eight large fish meals (> 315 g/meal) per month are expected to exceed the RfD. However, even at more than eight meals per month, consuming average portion sizes (115 g/meal) results in a distribution of exposures in which all but the 99th percentile are below the RfD. These results generally agree with empirical data on blood Hg levels for 1999-2002, showing that approximately 6% of U.S. women of childbearing age (3.8 million individuals) exceed the U.S. EPA RfD for MeHg (Jones et al. 2004). Geographic variability in fish Hg merits consideration in future efforts to understand elevated blood Hg levels in human populations. REFERENCES Adams DH. 2004. 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adj. 1. Of, relating to, or belonging to the era before recorded history. 2. Of or relating to a language before it is first recorded in writing. economies. J Archaological Sci 29:111-122. Ruelas-Inzunza J, Garcia-Rosales SB, Paez-Osuna F. 2004. Distribution of mercury in adult penaeid shrimps from Altata-Ensenada del Pabellon lagoon lagoon Area of relatively shallow, quiet water with access to the sea but separated from it by sandbars, barrier islands, or coral reefs. Coastal lagoons have low to moderate tides and constitute about 13% of the world's coastline. (SE Gulf of California Noun 1. Gulf of California - a gulf to the west of the mainland of Mexico Sea of Cortes Mexico, United Mexican States - a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810 ). Chemosphere 57:1657-1661. Storelli MM, Giacominelli Stuffler R, Marcotrigiano GO. 2002. Total and methylmercury residues in tuna-fish from the Mediterranean Sea. Food Addit Contam 19(8):715-720. Storelli MM, Marcotrigiano GO. 2004. Content of mercury and cadmium in fish (Thunnus alalunga) and cephalopods (Eledone moschata) from the south-eastern Mediterranean Sea. Food Addit Contam 21(11):1051-1056. Tran NL, Barraj L, Smith K, Javier A, Burke The name Burke (from Irish Gaelic de Burca, of Norman origin). In English the meaning of the name Burke is "fortified hill." See also Berkley. Places Australia
U.S. EPA. 2000. The Occurrence of Mercury in the Fishery Resources of the Gulf of Mexico Noun 1. Gulf of Mexico - an arm of the Atlantic to the south of the United States and to the east of Mexico Golfo de Mexico Atlantic, Atlantic Ocean - the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east . Stennis Space Center, MS: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf of Mexico Program. U.S. EPA. 2002. Estimated Per Capita Fish Consumption in the United States. EPA-821-C-02-003. Washington DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. U.S. EPA. 2003. Mercury in Marine Life Database. Washington DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. Yokoo EM, Valente JG, Grattan L, Schmidt SL, Platt I, Silbergeld EK. 2003. Low level methylmercury exposures affects neuropsycological function in adults. Environ Health 2(8):1-11 Elsie M. Sunderland U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research, Office of Research and Development, Boston, Massachusetts “Boston” redirects here. For other uses, see Boston (disambiguation). Boston is the capital and most populous city of Massachusetts.[3] The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the unofficial economic and cultural center of the entire New , USA Address correspondence to E.M. Sunderland, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research, Office of Research and Development, 1 Congress St., Suite 1100, Boston, MA 02114 USA. Telephone: (617) 918-1543. Fax: (617) 918-1505. E-mail: sunderland.elsie@epa.gov I thank C. Griffiths and K. Mahaffey (U.S. EPA) for thoughtful discussion and assistance preparing this manuscript manuscript, a handwritten work as distinguished from printing. The oldest manuscripts, those found in Egyptian tombs, were written on papyrus; the earliest dates from c.3500 B.C. . I acknowledge M. Miller and G. Serrenbetz (U.S. EPA) and S. Wente (U.S. Geological Survey The term geological survey can be used to describe both the conduct of a survey for geological purposes and an institution holding geological information. A geological survey ) for assistance collecting and interpreting data synthesized syn·the·sized adj. 1. Relating to or being an instrument whose sound is modified or augmented by a synthesizer. 2. Relating to or being compositions or a composition performed on synthesizers or synthesized instruments. in this manuscript. I also thank C. Knightes, J. Weiss, and several anonymous reviewers for providing helpful reviews of earlier versions of this manuscript. Statements in this publication reflect the author's professional views and opinions and should not be construed to represent any determination or policy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The author declares she has no competing financial interests. Received 25 May 2006; accepted 20 November v2006.
Table 1. Hg concentration data (mg/kg) aggregated by geographic region.
FDA
Species (mean [+ or -] SD) No. References
Anchovies 0.04 40 NMFS 1978
Herring 0.04 38 NMFS 1978
Sardine 0.02 22 FDA 2006a
Shad 0.07 59 NMFS 1978
Bluefish 0.34 [+ or -] 0.13 52 FDA 2006a
Clams (a) ND 6 FDA 2006a
Cod 0.10 [+ or -] 0.08 39 FDA 2006a
Crabs 0.06 [+ or -] 0.11 63 FDA 2006a
Croaker 0.07 [+ or -] 0.04 50 FDA 2006a
Haddock 0.03 [+ or -] 0.02 4 FDA 2006a
Hake and 0.01 [+ or -] 0.02 11 FDA 2006a
Monkfish 0.18 81 NMFS 1978
Flounder (c) 0.05 [+ or -] 0.05 23 FDA 2006a
Plaice (c) 0.05 [+ or -] 0.05 23 FDA 2006a
Sole (c) 0.05 [+ or -] 0.05 23 FDA 2006a
Grouper 0.47 [+ or -] 0.29 43 FDA 2006a
Sea bass 0.22 [+ or -] 0.23 47 FDA 2006a
Rockfish (d) 0.22 [+ or -] 0.23 47 FDA 2006a
Halibut 0.25 [+ or -] 0.23 46 FDA 2006a
Scorpionfish (e) 0.29 78 NMFS 1978
Lobster 0.17 [+ or -] 0.09 16 FDA 2006a
Mackerel, all (f) 0.15 432 NMFS 1978;
Marlin (a) 0.49 [+ or -] 0.24 16 FDA 2006a
Mussels (g) NA NA NA
Oysters ND 34 FDA 2006a
Ocean perch ND 6 FDA 2006a
Orange roughy 0.54 26 FDA 2006a
Pollock 0.06 37 FDA 2006a
Sablefish 0.22 102 NMFS 1978
Salmon, fresh 0.01 34 FDA 2006a
Salmon, canned ND 34 FDA 2006a
Scallops 0.05 66 NMFS 1978
Sea trout 0.25 27 FDA 2006a
Shrimp ND 24 FDA 2006a
Skate 0.14 56 NMFS 1978
Snapper 0.19 [+ or -] 0.12 25 FDA 2006a
Porgy NA NA NA
Sheepshead 0.13 59 NMFS 1978
Squid 0.07 200 NMFS 1978
Shark 0.99 [+ or -] 0.63 351 FDA 2006a
Swordfish 0.98 [+ or -] 0.51 618 FDA 2006a
Tilefish 1.45 60 NMFS 1978
Tuna, canned 0.35 179 FDA 2006b
Tuna, canned 0.12 131 FDA 2006b
Tuna, fresh 0.38 131 FDA 2006b
Whitefish 0.07 [+ or -] 0.05 25 FDA 2006a
Imports
Species (mean [+ or -] SD) No. References
Anchovies 0.06 [+ or -] 0.01 53 Burger et al. 2005;
Capelli et al. 2004;
Knowles et al. 2003
Herring 0.13 [+ or -] 0.03 14 Baeyens et al. 2003;
Legrand et al. 2005;
Nakagawa et al. 1997
Sardine 0.03 [+ or -] 0.003 35 Knowles et al. 2003;
Nakagawa et al. 1997;
Plessi et al. 2001
Shad 0.07 [+ or -] 0.01 59 NMFS 1978
Bluefish None consumed
Clams (a) 0.06 [+ or -] 0.01 3 Plessi et al. 2001
Cod 0.07 [+ or -] 0.01 19 Baeyens et al. 2003;
Nakagawa et al. 1997;
Plessi et al. 2001
Crabs 0.10 [+ or -] 0.02 27 Dabeka et al. 2004;
Legrand et al. 2005;
Plessi et al. 2001
Croaker None consumed
Haddock 0.06 [+ or -] 0.01 31 Joiris et al. 1995;
Legrand et al. 2005
Hake and 0.13 [+ or -] 0.01 88 Baeyens et al. 2003;
whiting (b) Capelli et al. 2004;
Plessi et al. 2001
Monkfish 0.13 [+ or -] 0.01 25 Baeyens et al. 2003;
Knowles et al. 2003;
Plessi et al. 2001
Flounderc 0.05 [+ or -] 0.07 55 Burger et al. 2005
Plaicec 0.05 [+ or -] 0.02 33 Baeyens et al. 2003
Solec 0.10 [+ or -] 0.10 64 Baeyens et al. 2003;
Plessi et al. 2001
Grouper 0.34 [+ or -] 0.07 17 Al-Saleh and
Al-Doush 2002;
Knobeloch et al. 1995
Sea bass 0.19 [+ or -] 0.12 29 Baeyens et al. 2003;
Knowles et al. 2003;
Legrand et al. 2005;
Nakagawa et al. 1997
Rockfish (d) None consumed
Halibut 0.23 [+ or -] 0.05 11 Knowles et al. 2003;
Plessi et al. 2001
Scorpionfish (e) 0.11 [+ or -] 0.003 7 Nakagawa et al. 1997;
Plessi et al. 2001
Lobster 0.10 [+ or -] 0.005 13 Knowles et al. 2003;
Legrand et al. 2005;
Plessi et al. 2001
Mackerel, all (f) 0.15 [+ or -] 0.10 432 NMFS 1978;
U.S. EPA 2000
Marlin (a) 0.49 [+ or -] 0.24 16 FDA 2006a
Mussels (g) 0.03 [+ or -] 0.009 80 Baeyens et al. 2003;
Dabeka et al. 2004;
Knowles et al. 2003;
Plessi et al. 2001
Oysters 0.01 [+ or -] 0.01 27 Dabeka et al. 2004
Ocean perch 0.09 [+ or -] 0.02 53 Joiris et al. 1995;
Plessi et al. 2001
Orange roughy 0.55 [+ or -] 0.11 32 FDA 2006a;
Knowles et al. 2003
Pollock 0.03 [+ or -] 0.002 12 Knowles et al. 2003;
Legrand et al. 2005;
Plessi et al. 2001
Sablefish 0.22 [+ or -] 0.04 102 NMFS 1978
FDA 2006a
Salmon, fresh 0.04 [+ or -] 0.01 69 FDA 2005;
Dabeka et al. 2004;
Knowles et al. 2003;
Legrand et al. 2005;
Plessi et al. 2001
Salmon, canned 0.04 [+ or -] 0.01 32 Knowles et al. 2003
Scallops 0.06 [+ or -] 0.02 21 Legrand et al. 2005;
Nakagawa et al. 1997
Sea trout None consumed
Shrimp 0.03 [+ or -] 0.01 106 Al-Saleh and
Al-Doush 2002;
Burger et al. 2005;
Dabeka et al. 2004;
FDA 2005;
Plessi et al. 2001
Skate None consumed
Snapper 0.21 [+ or -] 0.15 324 Burger et al. 2005;
Chvojka et al. 1990
Porgy None consumed
Sheepshead None consumed
Squid 0.07 [+ or -] 0.01 200 NMFS 1978
Shark 0.99 [+ or -] 0.63 351 FDA 2006a
Swordfish 1.03 [+ or -] 0.54 689 Bloom 1992;
Dabeka et al. 2004;
FDA 2006a;
Knowles et al. 2003;
Nakagawa et al. 1997;
Plessi et al. 2001
Tilefish None consumed
Tuna, canned 0.37 [+ or -] 0.12 318 Burger and
Gochfeld 2004;
FDA 2006b;
Forsyth et al. 2004
Tuna, canned 0.11 [+ or -] 0.10 199 Burger and
light Gochfeld 2004;
Dabeka et al. 2004;
FDA 2006b
Tuna, fresh 0.48 [+ or -] 0.24 422 Burger et al. 2005;
and frozen Dabeka et al. 2004;
FDA 2006b;
Harding et al. 2005;
Storelli et al. 2002;
Storelli and
Marcotrigiano 2004
Whitefish 0.07 [+ or -] 0.01 25 FDA 2006a
Atlantic
Species (mean [+ or -] SD) No. References
Anchovies No landings
Herring 0.14 [+ or -] 0.06 15 U.S. EPA 2003
Sardine No landings
Shad 0.02 [+ or -] 0.02 40 U.S. EPA 2003
Bluefish 0.45 [+ or -] 0.33 288 U.S. EPA 2003
Clams (a) 0.01 [+ or -] 0.002 4 Legrand et al. 2005
Cod 0.06 [+ or -] 0.02 21 Gobeil et al. 1997;
Legrand et al. 2005
Crabs 0.26 [+ or -] 0.44 369 U.S. EPA 2003
Croaker 0.07 [+ or -] 0.08 315 U.S. EPA 2003
Haddock 0.03 [+ or -] 0.02 4 FDA 2006a
Hake and 0.07 [+ or -] 0.02 22 Burger et al. 2005;
whiting (b) U.S. EPA 2003
Monkfish 0.18 [+ or -] 0.04 81 NMFS 1978
Flounderc 0.08 [+ or -] 0.04 60 U.S. EPA 2003
Plaicec 0.05 [+ or -] 0.02 33 Baeyens et al. 2003
Solec No landings
Grouper 0.36 [+ or -] 0.14 100 U.S. EPA 2003
Sea bass 0.14 [+ or -] 0.04 14 U.S. EPA 2003
Rockfish (d) No landings
Halibut 0.25 [+ or -] 0.23 46 FDA 2006a
Scorpionfish (e) No landings
Lobster 0.28 [+ or -] 0.15 106 NMFS 1978;
Mackerel, all (f) 0.22 [+ or -] 0.16 877 NMFS 1978;
U.S. EPA 2000
Marlin (a) No landings
Mussels (g) 0.08 [+ or -] 0.09 729 U.S. EPA 2003
Oysters 0.07 [+ or -] 0.09 2,082 U.S. EPA 2003
Ocean perch 0.08 [+ or -] 0.02 50 Joiris et al. 1995
Orange roughy No landings
Pollock 0.02 [+ or -] 0.01 115 U.S. EPA 2003
Sablefish No landings
Salmon, fresh 0.13 [+ or -] 0.17 11 U.S. EPA 2003
Salmon, canned No landings
Scallops 0.01 [+ or -] 0.003 12 Burger et al. 2005
Sea trout 0.21 [+ or -] 0.15 1,220 U.S. EPA 2003
Shrimp 0.04 [+ or -] 0.05 171 U.S. EPA 2003
Skate 0.14 [+ or -] 0.03 56 NMFS 1978
Snapper 0.28 [+ or -] 0.43 363 U.S. EPA 2003
Porgy 0.08 [+ or -] 0.07 14 U.S. EPA 2003
Sheepshead 0.18 [+ or -] 0.20 268 U.S. EPA 2003
Squid No supply
Shark 0.75 [+ or -] 0.70 585 U.S. EPA 2003
Swordfish 0.98 [+ or -] 0.51 618 FDA 2006a
Tilefish 1.45 [+ or -] 0.29 60 NMFS 1978
Tuna, canned 0.37 [+ or -] 0.12 318 Burger and
Gochfeld 2004;
FDA 2006b;
Forsyth et al. 2004
Tuna, canned 0.11 [+ or -] 0.10 199 Burger and
Gochfeld 2004;
Dabeka et al. 2004;
FDA 2006b FDA 2006b
Tuna, fresh 0.28 [+ or -] 0.12 496 Adams 2004;
and frozen Anderson and
Depledge 1997;
FDA 2006b;
Harding et al. 2005;
U.S. EPA 2003
Whitefish No landings
Pacific
Species (mean [+ or -] SD) No. References
Anchovies 0.04 [+ or -] 0.01 40 NMFS 1978
Herring 0.04 [+ or -] 0.02 131 U.S. EPA 2003
Sardine No landings
Shad 0.07 [+ or -] 0.01 59 NMFS 1978
Bluefish No landings
Clams (a) 0.01 [+ or -] 0.002 2 U.S. EPA 2003
Cod 0.11 [+ or -] 0.03 28 U.S. EPA 2003
Crabs 0.15 [+ or -] 0.07 56 Dabeka et al. 2004;
Bloom 1992;
U.S. EPA 2003;
Hui et al. 2005
Croaker 0.12 [+ or -] 0.10 45 U.S. EPA 2003
Haddock No landings
Hake and 0.01 [+ or -] 0.02 11 FDA 2006a
whiting (b)
Monkfish No landings
Flounderc 0.07 [+ or -] 0.07 58 Burger et al. 2005;
U.S. EPA 2003
Plaicec No landings
Solec 0.06 [+ or -] 0.02 518 U.S. EPA 2003
Grouper 0.47 [+ or -] 0.29 43 FDA 2006a
Sea bass 0.22 [+ or -] 0.23 47 FDA 2006a
Rockfish (d) 0.29 [+ or -] 0.22 314 U.S. EPA 2003
Halibut 0.28 [+ or -] 0.09 11 U.S. EPA 2003
Scorpionfish (e) 0.22 [+ or -] 0.05 79 Bloom 1992;
Lobster 0.17 [+ or -] 0.09 16 FDA 2006a
Mackerel, all (f) 0.09 [+ or -] 0.06 30 NMFS 1978;
U.S. EPA 2003
Marlin (a) 0.57 [+ or -] 0.41 39 Brooks 2004
Mussels (g) 0.03 [+ or -] 0.02 330 U.S. EPA 2003
Oysters 0.06 [+ or -] 0.03 63 U.S. EPA 2003
Ocean perch 0.08 [+ or -] 0.02 50 Joiris et al. 1995
Orange roughy No landings
Pollock 0.06 [+ or -] 0.03 37 FDA 2006a
Sablefish 0.22 [+ or -] 0.04 103 Bloom 1992;
FDA 2006a
Salmon, fresh 0.04 [+ or -] 0.01 289 U.S. EPA 2003
Salmon, canned 0.04 [+ or -] 0.01 289 U.S. EPA 2003
Scallops 0.04 [+ or -] 0.001 3 Bloom 1992
Sea trout No landings
Shrimp 0.03 [+ or -] 0.01 44 FDA 2005
Skate 0.14 [+ or -] 0.03 56 NMFS 1978
Snapper 0.25 [+ or -] 0.09 17 U.S. EPA 2003
Porgy No landings
Sheepshead No landings
Squid No supply
Shark 0.80 [+ or -] 0.37 35 U.S. EPA 2003
Swordfish 0.98 [+ or -] 0.51 618 FDA 2006a
Tilefish No landings
Tuna, canned 0.37 [+ or -] 0.12 318 Burger and
Gochfeld 2004;
FDA 2006b;
Forsyth et al. 2004
Tuna, canned 0.11 [+ or -] 0.10 199 Burger and
Gochfeld 2004;
Dabeka et al. 2004;
FDA 2006b FDA 2006b
Tuna, fresh 0.24 [+ or -] 0.10 555 Brooks 2004;
and frozen FDA 2006b;
Morrissey et al.
2004
Whitefish No landings
Abbreviations: NA, not applicable; ND, below detection limits. For
comparative analysis, FDA nondetects were assigned a default value of
0.01 mg/kg. All FDA data are from FDA (2006a, 2006b).
(a) FDA measured as methylmercury. (b) Whiting listed as below detection
limits by FDA (n = 2); hake values were used for comparative analysis.
(c) Listed by FDA as flatfish, which includes flounder, plaice, and
sole. (d) Includes seabass, striped bass, and rockfish. (e) Includes
lingcod. (f) Mackerel concentrations for all species calculated by
weighting Hg concentrations by percent domestic landings for each
species: king (8%), Spanish (6%), Atlantic (47%), chub (39%). (g) No
concentrations reported by FDA; the default of 0.01 mg/kg was used for
comparative analysis.
Table 2. Summary statistics for all tuna species in the U.S. commercial
seafood market.
Domestic
waters
Species Market size (a) Fresh (%) (b) (%) (c)
Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) 9-20 kg, 68 cm 9 < 1
Bigeye (Thunnus obesus) 15-20 kg, 90 cm 13 34
Bluefin (Thunnus thynnus) ~7 kg 2 38
Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) ~3 kg, 35 cm 38 1
Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) 5-20 kg, 34 7
40-180 cm
Hg (mg/kg) global harvest (%) (a)
Products Pacific Atl/Med (d) Indian
Canned (white) and 0.17 (67) Atl 0.47/Med 0.87 (25) (8)
fresh/frozen
Fresh/frozen 0.29 (60) (25) (15)
Canned (white) and (40) 0.13 (e) (60) (0)
fresh/frozen
Canned (light) and fresh, (67) 0.17 (13) (20)
smoked
Canned (light) and fresh, 0.06 (60) Atl 0.31 (15) (25)
smoked
Abbreviations: Atl, Atlantic; Med, Mediterranean. Hg concentrations are
for average market size of each species calculated from regression
relationships published in the literature: data for Pacific albacore
tuna from Morrissey et al. (2004); Pacific yellowfin and bigeye data
from Brooks (2004); Mediterranean albacore and bluefin data from
Storelli et al. (2002); Atlantic albacore and bluefin data from Anderson
and Depledge (1997); Atlantic yellowfin data from Adams (2004); and
Atlantic bluefin data from Harding et al. (2005).
(a) Data from Atuna (2006). (b) Fraction of fresh and frozen tuna sold
in the U.S. commercial seafood market by species; species other than
those listed account for 4% of the supply. (c) Estimated fraction of
supply of fresh and frozen tuna for each species that is caught in
domestic waters in the U.S. (within the 200-mi exclusive economic zone).
(d) Atlantic and Mediterranean tuna are merged into a single data set
because they do not appear to be significantly different once normalized
to weight. This may be an attribute of the highly migratory nature of
bluefin tuna; therefore, harvest areas do not necessarily reflect a
dominant habitat for bluefin tuna (Block et al. 2001).
Table 3. Effect of variability in Hg concentrations and seafood
consumption rates (percentiles) on Hg intakes ([micro]g/kg body
weight/day).
Seafood Demographic group
consumption (b) Sex, age (years) Avgerage bw (kg) (c)
Per capita All individuals 68.9
50th F and M, 33.7
[less than or equal to] 14
50th F, 15-44 72.6
50th M, 15-44 84.4
50th [greater than or equal to] 45 80.2
90th [less than or equal to] 14 33.7
90th F, 15-44 72.6
90th M, 15-44 84.4
90th [greater than or equal to] 45 80.2
95th [less than or equal to] 14 33.7
95th F, 15-44 72.6
95th M, 15-44 84.4
95th F and M, 80.2
[greater than or equal to] 45
Estimated Hg intake (percentiles based on fish
Seafood Hg concentration variability) (a)
consumption (b) Mean FDA Mean 50th 75th 90th
Per capita 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03
50th 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03
50th 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03
50th 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03
50th 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04
90th 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.09
90th 0.07 0.08 0.07 0.08 0.09
90th 0.08 0.09 0.09 0.10 (d) 0.11 (d)
90th 0.09 0.10 (d) 0.10 (d) 0.11 (d) 0.12 (d)
95th 0.13 (d) 0.15 (d) 0.15 (d) 0.16 (d) 0.19 (d)
95th 0.11 (d) 0.12 (d) 0.12 (d) 0.13 (d) 0.15 (d)
95th 0.13 (d) 0.14 (d) 0.14 (d) 0.15 (d) 0.17 (d)
95th 0.13 (d) 0.15 (d) 0.15 (d) 0.16 (d) 0.18 (d)
Estimated Hg intake (percentiles based on fish
Seafood Hg concentration variability) (a)
consumption (b) 95th 99th
Per capita 0.03 0.09
50th 0.03 0.09
50th 0.03 0.08
50th 0.03 0.09
50th 0.04 0.11 (d)
90th 0.10 (d) 0.29 (d)
90th 0.10 (d) 0.29 (d)
90th 0.12 (d) 0.35 (d)
90th 0.14 (d) 0.38 (d)
95th 0.20 (d) 0.57 (d)
95th 0.16 (d) 0.46 (d)
95th 0.19 (d) 0.53 (d)
95th 0.20 (d) 0.57 (d)
Abbreviations: bw, body weight; F, female; M, male.
(a) Exposures are calculated assuming species composition matches
relative supply in the commercial seafood market; variability in
measured Hg concentrations for each geographic region (imported,
Atlantic, Pacific) and within each species was modeled using [10.sup.5]
Monte Carlo trials. (b) Modeled based on variability in CSFII data
(1994-1996, 1998) for each age group (U.S. EPA 2002). (c) Based on
NHANES survey data 1999-2002 (NCHS 2006). (d) Intake rates that exceed
the U.S. EPA RfD for MeHg (NRC 2000).
Table 4. Modeled effects (mean and percentiles) of variability in Hg
concentrations on potential exposure for women of childbearing age.
Modeled distribution of Hg intake
Fish meals/ Meal size ([micro]g/kg bw/day) (a)
month (b,c) (percentile) (c,d) Mean FDA Mean
1-4 (46) 10th (5) < 0.01 < 0.01
50th (23) 0.01-0.02 0.01-0.03
90th (5) 0.02-0.07 0.02-0.08
5-8 (13.5) 10th (1) 0.01-0.02 0.01-0.02
50th (7) 0.03-0.05 0.04-0.06
90th (1) 0.09-0.14 0.10-0.16
> 8 (9) 10th (< 1) > 0.02 > 0.02
50th (4.5) > 0.06 > 0.06
90th (< 1) > 0.15 > 0.18
Modeled distribution of Hg intake
Fish meals/ Meal size ([micro]g/kg bw/day) (a)
month (b,c) (percentile) (c,d) 50th 75th 90th
1-4 (46) 10th (5) < 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.01
50th (23) 0.01-0.03 0.01-0.03 0.01-0.04
90th (5) 0.02-0.08 0.02-0.08 0.02-0.09
5-8 (13.5) 10th (1) 0.01-0.02 0.01-0.02 0.01-0.02
50th (7) 0.03-0.06 0.04-0.06 0.04-0.07
90th (1) 0.10-0.15 0.10-0.17 0.12-0.19
> 8 (9) 10th (< 1) > 0.02 > 0.02 > 0.02
50th (4.5) > 0.06 > 0.07 > 0.08
90th (< 1) > 0.17 > 0.20 > 0.21
Modeled distribution of Hg intake
Fish meals/ Meal size ([micro]g/kg bw/day) (a)
month (b,c) (percentile) (c,d) 95th 99th
1-4 (46) 10th (5) < 0.01 0.01-0.03
50th (23) 0.01-0.04 0.03-0.11
90th (5) 0.03-0.10 0.07-0.29
5-8 (13.5) 10th (1) 0.01-0.02 0.04-0.06
50th (7) 0.05-0.08 0.13-0.21
90th (1) 0.13-0.21 0.36-0.58
> 8 (9) 10th (< 1) > 0.03 > 0.07
50th (4.5) > 0.09 > 0.24
90th (< 1) > 0.23 > 0.66
Abbreviations: bw, body weight; Women of childbearing age are defined as
being 15-44 years of age in the CSFII and 16-49 years of age in NHANES.
All exposures above the U.S. EPA RfD (NRC 2000) are shown in italics.
(a) Intakes are calculated from average body weights from NHANES data
(NCHS 2006). (b) NHANES 1999-2000 data are from Mahaffey et al. (2004).
(c) The percent of total respondents (n = 1,707) consuming fish at
varying frequencies over 30-day period is shown in parentheses;
individuals who reported no fish consumption are not shown. (d) Data
from Tran et al. (2004) for all fish consumption by women of
childbearing age from CSFII data between 1994 and 1998; based on survey
data, meal sizes are as follows: 10th percentile = 33.6 g; mean = 115.3
g; 90th percentile = 315.2 g.
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