Environmental Health Contaminant Studies

The reports listed below are organized by study topic.

Biomonitoring | Fish and Shellfish | Sediments

Biomonitoring

Washington State Plan for Priorities for Biomonitoring, 2003 (PDF 474KB)

This report provides information on priorities for biomonitoring in Washington State that have been adopted by the Washington State Department of Health.

Fish and Shellfish

Human Health Evaluation of Contaminants in Puget Sound Fish, 2006 (PDF 2.3MB)

Based on Puget Sound fish tissue data, it was concluded that PCBs and mercury are a potential public health concern. Recommendations for fish consumption advisories are provided in this report.

Evaluation of Contaminants in Fish from Lake Washington, 2004 (PDF 426KB)

Review and evaluation of the potential health risks from exposure to bioaccumulative contaminants from eating five fish species from Lake Washington.

Statewide Bass Advisory, 2003 (PDF 262KB)

In response to finding elevated levels of mercury in bass tested across the state, the Department of Health issued a statewide bass advisory. This report provides information, data, and criteria used to develop the the advisory. 

Exposure Analysis of Five Fish Consuming Populations for Overexposure to Methylmercury, 2001 (PDF 183KB)

The goal of this study was to determine if various populations are eating fish contaminated with methylmercury in quantities that could possibly have harmful effects. The consumption rates of three Native American populations and two recreational fishing populations were studied.

Lake Whatcom Fish Advisory, 2001 (PDF 124KB)

Recommended guidelines for eating fish from Lake Whatcom in response to findings of high levels of mercury in fish tested from the lake.

Lake Whatcom Residential and Angler Fish Consumption Survey, 2001 (PDF 908KB)

This survey was done to gather information on Lake Whatcom residents and angler consumption of fish caught in Lake Whatcom as well as their perceptions related to fish advisories. The project gathered exposure information and was used to assess human health implications from eating mercury-contaminated fish from Lake Whatcom.

Evaluation of Evidence Related to the Development of a Tolerable Daily Intake of Methylmercury, 1999 (PDF 83KB)

To determine if Washington residents are consuming fish contaminated with methylmercury in quantities that could cause harmful effects, the Department of Health has determined a tolerable daily intake for methylmercury. Provided as a range, the tolerable daily intake was based on scientific studies that looked at sensitive endpoints in children and mothers who eat fish over long periods of time.

DDT and DDE Transmission Through Breast Milk: Yakima River Basin, 1998 (PDF 121KB)

DDT and DDE have been detected in sediments and fish from the Yakima River and its tributaries and drainages. Fishing is a popular activity in this area and many individuals catch bottom-feeding fish species that may contain high levels of these compounds. To address the possible effects associated with eating contaminated fish from this area, a public health project was initiated.

Consumption Patterns of Anglers Who Frequently Fish Lake Roosevelt, 1997 (PDF 204KB)

Survey to determine fish consumption patterns of anglers at Lake Roosevelt to assess public health impacts associated with ingestion of chemically contaminated fish. 

Establishing Tolerable Dungeness Crab and Razor Clam Domoic Acid Contaminant Levels, 1996 (PDF 73KB)

Domoic acid has been found in razor clams and dungeness crabs in Washington. Due to toxic effects associated with domoic acid exposure, an effort was made to establish tolerable domoic acid levels in crab and clam obtained from commercial harvest and sale, and for individual recreational harvesting.

Sediments

Hazards of Short-term Exposure to Arsenic-Contaminated Soil, January 1999 (PDF 85KB)

Arsenic-contaminated soil is a potential public health problem in many areas of Washington. Information regarding arsenic toxicity and human soil ingestion was evaluated and used to determine soil arsenic concentrations protective of public health for acute exposures.

Tier I Report: Development of Sediment Quality Criteria for the Protection of Human Health, 1995 (PDF 11MB)

Discharge of many industrial, agricultural, and domestic chemicals to surface waters has resulted in historical contamination which can be measured in marine and fresh-water sediments of Puget Sound. The goal of the first tier, of a two-tiered sediment quality evaluation process, is to develop Puget Sound sediment quality criteria for the protection of human health from contaminated seafood.

Tier II Report: Development of Sediment Quality Criteria for the Protection of Human Health, 1996 (PDF 1.6MB)

The second tier builds on the Tier I process by describing how site-specific parameter values may be used to calculate sediment quality criteria for a given location. The goal is to provide a framework for incorporating site and chemical-specific data to calculate a level of sediment chemical contamination unlikely to result in adverse human health impacts for people who eat seafood from Puget Sound.

More Resources

• Environmental Health Contaminants

• Site Assessment Health Consultations, Fact sheets, and Advisories

• Pesticide Illness Data and Reports

• Fish Consumption Advisories