ESTIMATION OF FISH CONSUMPTION AND METHYLMERCURY INTAKE IN THE NEW-JERSEY POPULATION

Despite scientific attention to the toxicology of methylmercury (MeHg) , little is known about population-based exposure to this compound. In this study, fish consumption and MeHg intake were estimated based on a seven-day recall survey of fish consumption among 1000 randomly sele cted New Jersey residents. Survey data were reported on a per-meal bas is, and the fish species/dishes consumed at each meal were identified Portion sizes for each meal were reported or estimated To correct a po ssible bias due to underrepresentation of infrequent consumers, severa l schemes for weighting fish consumption data were investigated MeHg c oncentration for most fish species was estimated from the National Mar ine Fisheries Service database or from recent United States Food and D rug Administration data. Commercial fish accounted for about 95% of al l consumption. Mean fish consumption is estimated for all New Jersey a dult consumers at 50.2 g/day (90(th) percentile=107.4 g/day) and for w omen 18-40 years old (childbearing age) at 41.0 g/day (90(th) percenti le=88.1 g/day). Mean MeHg intake is estimated for all New Jersey adult consumers at 7.5 mu g/day (90(th) percentile=17.9 mu g/day) and for w omen 18-40 at 6.3 mu g/day (90(th) percentile=14.8 mu g/day). When MeH g concentrations are adjusted to account for the possible overestimati on of current concentrations by the 20-year-old National Marine Fisher ies Service database, it is estimated that MeHg intakes may be about 7 0-80% of unadjusted estimates. Based on these analyses, it is estimate d that 21-30% of New Jersey women 18-40 and 5-8% of all New Jersey adu lts exceed their respective U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Refe rence Doses for MeHg. Because of uncertainty associated with the Refer ence Doses, exceeding the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, guide lines does not necessarily correspond to adverse effects on consumers or their fetuses.