A size-based probabilistic assessment of PCB exposure from Lake Michigan fish consumption

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es970840m· OSTI ID:642307

Stow, C A ^[1]; Qian, S S ^[2]

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1. Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States). Nicholas School of the Environment
2. Portland State Univ., OR (United States)

The state of Wisconsin has recently issued a fish consumption advisory that includes suggested consumption rates for Lake Michigan fish, based on fish size and PCB concentration. To evaluate the size-based exposure risk from Lake Michigan fish consumption, the authors estimated PCB exposure probabilities for five Lake Michigan fish species using two Bayesian models. The models confirm that very few individuals of any of the five species are likely to have PCB concentrations low enough to fall into the category in which consumption is unrestricted. Among smaller fish (<50 cm), brown trout have the highest PCB levels, while lake trout are the most contaminated among larger fish (>60 cm). Eating meals from multiple individuals of some species results in a high probability that at least one of the meals will exceed 1.9 mg/kg, the upper PCB concentration recommended for consumption in the advisory.

• OSTI ID: 642307
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 32; ISSN 0013-936X; ISSN ESTHAG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FISHES
FOOD CHAINS
LAKE MICHIGAN
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
WATER POLLUTION