Time trends in sport-caught Great Lakes fish consumption and serum polychlorinated biphenyl levels among Michigan Anglers, 1973-1993

Environ Sci Technol. 2001 Feb 1;35(3):435-40.

Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) remain public health concerns because of their persistence in the environment and their potential health impact. We linked data from three mixed cross-sectional/longitudinal surveys of Michigan anglers conducted by the Michigan Department of Public Health in 1973-1974, 1979-1982, and 1989-1993 to examine the association between sport-caught fish consumption and serum PCBs. The reported weight of fish consumed declined over the three surveys (median 40, 38, and 31 lb/yr). Serum Aroclor 1260 levels were 2-3 times higher in fish-eaters than in nonfish-eaters in all three surveys in both men and women. In nonfish-eaters, serum PCB levels rose between 1973-1974 and 1979-1982 [adjusted change = 0.30 log(ppb), p = 0.01] and then declined between 1979-1982 and 1989-1993 [adjusted change = -0.16 log(ppb), p = 0.002]. Among fish-eaters, serum PCB levels also rose between 1973-1974 and 1979-1982 [adjusted change = 0.45 log(ppb), p < 0.001] but were unchanged between 1979-1982 and 1989-1993 [adjusted change = -0.09 log(ppb), p = 0.14]. Predictors of serum PCB levels included annual fish consumption, gender, and age. We conclude that background human serum levels of Aroclor 1260 had declined by 1989-1993 from earlier peak levels. Among consumers of sport-caught Great Lake fish, serum PCB levels did not significantly decrease, probably due to continued exposure and the long half-life of PCB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Environmental Pollutants / blood*
  • Environmental Pollutants / pharmacokinetics
  • Female
  • Fishes*
  • Food Contamination*
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Michigan
  • Middle Aged
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / blood*
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / pharmacokinetics
  • Recreation

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls