Thesis
Human health risk characterization for dietary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish from the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project: a probabilistic approach
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2009
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102508
Abstract
The Columbia Basin Irrigation Project (CBIP) provides water to over 671,000 acres of agricultural land in the Columbia River Basin in central Washington. Located within a region characterized by a climate of long summers, mild winters and frequent sunshine, the CBIP offers an excellent resource for local recreational fishing. With this increase in fishing opportunity, potential hazards now exist from the ingestion of fish tissue contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The purpose of this study was to assess PCB concentrations in fish tissue and to probabilistically characterize their risks to human health. Twelve sites for sampling fish were chosen within the jurisdictions of the CBIP and the Columbia Basin National Wildlife Refuge. Exposure of two age-related demographic groups to PCBs was assessed for risks of both non-cancer and cancer effects. Exposure was probabilistically modeled using the Monte Carlo sampling technique. Risks were calculated using EPA-developed functions recommended for assessing chemical contaminant data to be used in fish advisories. Results from the sensitivity analysis showed chemical concentration in fish tissue, exposure frequency, and ingestion rates to be the most important factors contributing to risks from PCBs exposure from contaminated fish. The perspective of risk derived from a probabilistic analysis of exposure contrasted with the perspective derived from the deterministic analyses associated with fish consumption advisories that are issued by State regulatory agencies. The probabilistically characterized risks of carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic hazards associated with consumption of CBIP fish by the general population of recreational fishermen were small and below tolerable regulatory levels of concern.
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Details
- Title
- Human health risk characterization for dietary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish from the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project
- Creators
- Christopher L. Magan
- Contributors
- Allan S. Felsot (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAHNRS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525087301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis