Application of Mercury Fish Advisories in the Midwest Pat McCann Minnesota Dept of Health

State Fish Consumption Advice Safe dose approach – Based on Risk Assessment Methods (U.S. EPA Guidelines) – Many states provide separate advice for kids & moms and the rest of the population Benefits addressed qualitatively

Mercury in Fish vs. Meal Advice Hg (ppm)Meal Advice < meals / week meal / week meals / month 0.47 – meal / month > 1.0Do not eat

Fish Consumption Advice Overall Message – EAT FISH – Make choices Challenge = provide information about contaminants in fish without scaring people away from eating fish altogether

Midwest Fish Fish TypeHg (ppm)Meal Advice Panfish< meals / week Panfish meal / week Predator fish meals / month Predator fish0.47 – meal / month Predator fish > 1.0Do not eat

Commercial Fish Consumption Advice – using FDA data & EPA RfD Meal AdviceSpecies 2 meals / weekSalmon, cod, pollock, canned light tuna, catfish, tilapia, herring, sardines, shrimp, crab, scallops, oysters 2 meals / monthCanned white tuna, tuna steak, halibut, lobster Do not eatShark, swordfish, tile fish, king mackerel

Communication Methods Annual production and distribution of outreach materials – Rely on Partners to Distribute: State agencies, environmental groups, resorts, guides, healthcare providers Web site Annual Press Release – target news media to increase awareness – Newspaper, Radio, TV

Targeted Outreach to Women WIC Maternal Child Health Local Public Health Agencies Healthcare Providers – HMOs – Prenatal care

Source: H. Anderson, WDHFS

Survey of 1,000 Women who Gave Birth in WI June 1-7, 2003 Purpose of Survey To assess: – fish consumption during pregnancy – awareness of the fish consumption advisory – familiarity with selected outreach materials Source: H. Anderson, WDHFS

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