Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish: The influence on localdecision making about fish consumption

In 1989, the level of Aroclor 1254 (a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls with 42 percent chlorine by weight) in fish collected from a recreational p ond in Toledo, Ohio, was reported to be 44.4 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg ), prompting local health officials to declare a "no fishing advisory" for the pond. A second study conducted in 1990 did not identify elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish tissue, In other words, the tw o studies gave conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to determ ine the level of Aroclor in fish tissues and then evaluate whether consumpt ion of fish from the pond would pose a serious health risk. Fish samples co llected on several occasions in 1998 and 1999 were filleted, and tissues we re analyzed, as composite or individual samples, with gas chromatography, T he levels of Aroclor 1244 ranged from 0.2 mg/kg in white crappies to 1.0 mg /kg in carp, These levels, while far less than the level reported in 1989, nevertheless were greater than 0.05 mg/kg, which is the maximum level estab lished by the Great Lakes Fish Advisory Task Force for "no restriction in f ish consumption," Levels of other Aroclor formulations ranged from less tha n the 0.02 mg/kg (the minimum detectable limit) to 0.1 mg/kg, Given current knowledge about the potential health consequence of exposure to PCBs and t he results of this study, the authors have recommended that local health of ficials develop a new fish consumption guideline for PCBs, Any decisions ab out maintaining or lifting the restrictions on the pond, however, should be based on additional studies that determine the levels of other chemicals t hat are present in the pond and deemed hazardous to human health.