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CREATION OF A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY AT-RISK POPULATIONS IN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK FOR CONSUMPTION OF CONTAMINATED FISH AND SEAFOOD
Citation:
O'NEILL, M., K. MAHAFFREY, S. STEPHENSON, AND D. T. LOBDELL. CREATION OF A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY AT-RISK POPULATIONS IN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK FOR CONSUMPTION OF CONTAMINATED FISH AND SEAFOOD. Presented at 2007 National Forum on Contaminants in Fish, Portland, ME, July 23 - 26, 2007.
Impact/Purpose:
To identify at-risk populations, particularly women of child bearing years and young children, for consumption of contaminated fish and seafood.
Description:
Project Objective: To identify at-risk populations, particularly women of child bearing years and young children, for consumption of contaminated fish and seafood via the use of geographically and demographically defined seafood consumption patterns and fish/seafood contamination data. Among all females of reproductive age (15 to 45 years) in the U.S., an estimated 16.4% eat fish at least once per day. Many species of fish and shellfish contain trace amounts of mercury, and other pollutants, with some containing levels that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system. Based on the distribution of blood mercury concentrations among the adult female participants in the Centers for Disease Control 1999-2000 National Health Assessment and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the number of U.S. births in 2000, it has been estimated that > 300,000 newborns each year may have been exposed in utero to methyl mercury concentrations associated with an increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental effects. Development Methodology: Creation of a Geographic Information System, utilizing national and regional (Northeast) seafood consumption estimates (e.g., NHANES, FDA), seafood contamination studies, US Census data and other data sources, is underway. State and local/metropolitan area fish and seafood consumption and contamination profiles will be incorporated, when available, to further identify specific demographic and socioeconomic subpopulations. Dose estimates will be derived for commercial, recreational and subsistence seafood consumers. Fish/seafood consumption profiles will include meal size, portions of fish consumed, and cooking method, when available. Literature searches and database reviews are underway to identify current and/or local sources of fish and seafood contamination data to supplement or replace national scale data. Anticipated Application The anticipated application of this technique is to provide health care providers, state and local health departments, and policy analysts an effective method for targeting vulnerable populations. Interventions include counseling about which fish to avoid and the best low-contaminant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. This information can be used by public health professionals to advise their patients of current advisories and healthy seafood choices. This will permit focusing scarce resources on those most likely at risk of heightened exposure to consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish.