Risks and Benefits of Consumption of Great Lakes Fish

Abstract

Background: Beneficial effects of fish consumption on early cognitive development and cardiovascular health have been attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids in fish and fish oils, but toxic chemicals in fish may adversely affect these health outcomes. Risk–benefit assessments of fish consumption have frequently focused on methylmercury and omega-3 fatty acids, not persistent pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls, and none have evaluated Great Lakes fish consumption.Objectives: The risks and benefits of fish consumption have been established primarily for marine fish. Here, we examine whether sufficient data are available to evaluate the risks and benefits of eating freshwater fish from the Great Lakes.Methods: We used a scoping review to integrate information from multiple state, provincial, and federal agency sources regarding the contaminants and omega-3 fatty acids in Great Lakes fish and fish consumers, consumption rates and fish consumption advisories, and health effects of contaminants and omega-3 fatty acids.Data synthesis: Great Lakes fish contain persistent contaminants—many of which have documented adverse health effects —that accumulate in humans consuming them. In contrast, data are sparse on omega-3 fatty acids in the fish and their consumers. Moreover, few studies have documented the social and cultural benefits of Great Lakes fish consumption, particularly for subsistence fishers and native communities. At this time, federal and state/provincial governments provide fish consumption advisories based solely on risk.Conclusions: Our knowledge of Great Lakes fish has critical gaps, particularly regarding the benefits of consumption. A risk–benefit analysis requires more information than is currently available on the concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in Great Lakes fish and their absorption by fish eaters in addition to more information on the social, cultural, and health consequences of changes in the amount of fish consumed.

Evaluation of Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Mullus barbatus from Sicily Channel and Risk-Based Consumption Limits

“…This topic has been explored by various authors in different areas (Bordajandi et al 2004;Cizdziel et al 2002;Di Leo et al 2010;Domingo et al 2007;Falco et al 2006;Ginsberg and Toal 2009;Llobet et al 2006Llobet et al , 2007Mansilla-Rivera and Rodriguez-Sierra 2011;Marti-Cid et al 2007Spada et al 2011;Storelli 2009Turyk et al 2012). This is the first report on these pollutants in fish from Sicily.…”

Role of Environmental Factors and Gonadotoxin Exposure in Unexplained Female Infertility

“…A decline in the Wassen Sea seal population was traced to reduced litters associated with PCB and DDE contamination [95]. Consumption of sport-caught fish fosters increased exposure to PCBs [96], reflected in higher levels in the serum of sport fish consumers [97,98]. Several epidemiologic studies have reported associations between PCB body burden and outcomes related to female fertility.…”

Bioaccumulation of Trace Metals in Tissues of Rohu Fish for Environmental Risk Assessment

“…According to Storelli [12] metals like arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead are toxic to biota, even in low concentrations, but other metals like Cu, Fe and Zn are required for physiological activities in biological species but when taken excessively they can also produce toxic effects [13] [14]. Nord et al [15] reported that the consumption of contaminated fish caused acute and chronic effects to humans.…”