Premium
Risk Assessment, Risk Management, and Fish Consumption Advisories in the United States
Author(s) -
Reinert Robert E.,
Knuth Barbara A.,
Kamrin Michael A.,
Stober Quentin J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(1991)016<0005:rarmaf>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - fishing , confusion , environmental health , consumption (sociology) , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , health risk , fish consumption , business , risk analysis (engineering) , environmental science , psychology , medicine , biology , social science , sociology , psychoanalysis
Differences among states in the procedures used to formulate fish consumption advisories and increased use of cancer‐risk‐based advisories are sources of confusion for fishery professionals and anglers. One of the most controversial aspects of fish consumption advisories is the accuracy of their estimates of risk. Unfortunately, our ability to detect trace concentrations of contaminants in the environment far surpasses our ability to accurately predict the effects of these contaminants on human health. Mathematical models are most frequently used to estimate the cancer risk of low levels of contaminants to humans. At best these models give a crude estimate of the health effects. Consequently, as fishery professionals, we must do a better job of informing anglers about these advisories. We can put the health risks involved in eating contaminated fish in perspective by comparing them with other types of risks. We can also inform anglers of various alternative behaviors that will decrease the health risks associated with eating contaminated fish, such as changing their fishing habits and the proper techniques for cleaning and cooking fish. A proper understanding of fish consumption advisories will increase anglers' concern for water quality, protect their health, and still encourage their enjoyment of the fishery.