SELECTION OF FISH CONSUMPTION ESTIMATES FOR USE IN THE REGULATORY PROCESS

The rate of fish consumption is a critical parameter in the assessment of human exposure to persistent chemicals in surface waters. Ideally, exposure assessors should use site-specific information concerning fi sh consumption rates from a contaminated area; however, this informati on is not readily available for most bodies of water, and time and eco nomic constraints often do not permit its collection. In such situatio ns, it is necessary to derive a fish consumption rate for the exposed population, based on data presented in existing studies. However, beca use of differences in the types of waterbodies evaluated, the types of fish consumers surveyed, and the types of survey methods used, the fi sh consumption estimates available in the scientific literature range widely, making selection of a specific rate a complex task. In the abs ence of clear understanding of the differences in the studies underlyi ng these fish consumption estimates, exposure assessors have often arb itrarily selected the results of studies that report high rates of int ake in order to ensure that public health is being adequately protecte d. This paper presents a framework to evaluate the applicability of ex isting studies to different exposure scenarios. It discusses the stren gths and limitations of the various survey methods used to estimate fi sh consumption rates. Its intent is to provide a framework for exposur e assessors to assist them in their selection of the most applicable a nd relevant fish consumption estimates for use in the regulatory situa tion being considered.