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Estimating fish consumption and targeting high risk consumer populations in NJ and NY
Citation:
O'Neill, M., D. T. LOBDELL, AND M. O'SHEA. Estimating fish consumption and targeting high risk consumer populations in NJ and NY. Presented at International Society of Environmental Epidemiology Annual Conference, Pasadena, CA, October 12 - 16, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
research results
Description:
An estimated 16.4% of US females of reproductive age (15 to 45 years) eat fish at least once per day. While fish is a good source of protein, with some species high in the omega-3 fatty acids that are associated with cardiovascular health, studies also indicate some fish and shellfish can contain mercury, PCBs, pesticides or other harmful contaminants at levels that can result in pre- or postnatal impairments. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDMH) recently conducted a local version of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NYCHANES). The study revealed New Yorkers have over three times the national average of mercury in their blood, and one-quarter of the 1,811 New York residents tested had blood mercury concentrations at or above the 5 ug/L New York State reportable level. The study also found that foreign-born Chinese residents had blood mercury concentrations more than two and a half times that of the general population in the city. Although the fish commonly associated with the highest levels of mercury are not frequently seen in Chinese kitchens, the study found that Chinese-Americans ate fish three times more often than others in the city. In response to the NYCHANES findings, EPA has recently funded two projects which aim to better target public health outreach as well as the educate the fish-eating consumer. The first project will develop a Geographic Information System (GIS) based tool to identify areas in New York and New Jersey where women of child-bearing years are at highest risk of eating contaminated fish; the second project will determine Hg and PCB levels in fish species most commonly sold in the New York City area. For the GIS tool, existing data are being gathered from multiple sources and assembled and analyzed at the lowest geospatial parameters to examine consumption patterns and contaminant exposure. This tool will be used to provide an effective way for health care providers, as well as state and local health departments, to reach vulnerable populations. The second project involves fish testing at the wholesale level targeting the top twenty most commonly consumed species; a similar effort by NYCDMH is focused primarily on the Asian markets. It is anticipated that data from both studies will inform the content and spatial coverage of future, locally-targeted outreach efforts. Information and data gathering to date indicate both the challenges and opportunities associated with each project. These include, but are not limited to: data issues (e.g., limitations, new sources); difficulties with fish origin and species identification; cultural issues (surging immigration, language and cultural barriers); and, the issues of engagement with our health care providers. This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.