why can't we eat our fish? what's in the water?

Why can’t we eat our fish?  What's in the

water?

Why can’t we eat our fish?  What's in the

water?

Patricia K. Eagon, PhDUniversity of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine

Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

pkeagon2@pitt.edu

Patricia K. Eagon, PhDUniversity of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine

Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

pkeagon2@pitt.edu

Q: How dirty is our local water?A: It’s really bad!!

Q: How dirty is our local water?A: It’s really bad!!

Surface waters with impaired or threatened uses, by county

(data from State & EPA)

Surface waters with impaired or threatened uses, by county

(data from State & EPA)

Allegheny 80-90% Armstrong 70-80% Butler 70-80% Jefferson 60-70% Westmoreland 70-80% Warren 0-10%

0% = cleanest; 100% = dirtiest

Allegheny 80-90% Armstrong 70-80% Butler 70-80% Jefferson 60-70% Westmoreland 70-80% Warren 0-10%

0% = cleanest; 100% = dirtiest

Worst watersheds in USAWorst watersheds in USA

Lower Allegheny 80-90% Lower Monongehela 70-80% Kiskiminetas 80-90% Upper Ohio 80-90% Mid Allegheny 30-40% (Tionesta)

0% = cleanest; 100% = dirtiest

Lower Allegheny 80-90% Lower Monongehela 70-80% Kiskiminetas 80-90% Upper Ohio 80-90% Mid Allegheny 30-40% (Tionesta)

0% = cleanest; 100% = dirtiest

Counties with the most facilities exceeding Clean Water Act permits

(recent 18 month period)

Counties with the most facilities exceeding Clean Water Act permits

(recent 18 month period)

New Haven County, CT Hartford County, CT Fairfield County, CT Harris County, TX (Houston) Worcester County, MA (Boston area) Allegheny County, PA Calcasieu Parish, SW Louisiana Erie County, NY, (Buffalo)

New Haven County, CT Hartford County, CT Fairfield County, CT Harris County, TX (Houston) Worcester County, MA (Boston area) Allegheny County, PA Calcasieu Parish, SW Louisiana Erie County, NY, (Buffalo)

Q: How contaminated are our fish?A: Depends where you catch them!!Q: How contaminated are our fish?

A: Depends where you catch them!!

Mercury content of channel catfish (ppm)

Mercury content of channel catfish (ppm)

Allegheny River, Ford City 24 Beaver River, New Brighton Dam 0.07 Delaware River (2 locations) 17, 18 Schuylkill River (various) 0.05

29-59 Susquehanna River 11-78

EPA guidelines: fish with 0.5-1.0 ppm, no more than ONE meal/month should be consumed.

Above 2 ppm, do not eat

Allegheny River, Ford City 24 Beaver River, New Brighton Dam 0.07 Delaware River (2 locations) 17, 18 Schuylkill River (various) 0.05

29-59 Susquehanna River 11-78

EPA guidelines: fish with 0.5-1.0 ppm, no more than ONE meal/month should be consumed.

Above 2 ppm, do not eat

Mercury in the environment: where does it come from?

Mercury in the environment: where does it come from?

Power plants 52 Municipal waste combustion 30 Medical waste combustion 16 Hazardous waste combustion 7

(tons per year)

Power plants 52 Municipal waste combustion 30 Medical waste combustion 16 Hazardous waste combustion 7

(tons per year)

Dangers of MercuryDangers of Mercury Mercury never goes away!! Major human source is by

consuming fish (methylmercury) The older the fish, the more

mercury! Passes through placenta to fetus,

and breast milk to baby Impairs development/function of

central nervous system Effects similar to lead exposure

Mercury never goes away!! Major human source is by

consuming fish (methylmercury) The older the fish, the more

mercury! Passes through placenta to fetus,

and breast milk to baby Impairs development/function of

central nervous system Effects similar to lead exposure

Who is at greatest risk?Who is at greatest risk?

Children Fetuses Native Americans Asian Americans The poor who fish for food,

primarily older Blacks

Children Fetuses Native Americans Asian Americans The poor who fish for food,

primarily older Blacks

So, what else is going on with our fish??

Fish are sensitive monitors of the environment,

and what’s bad for the fish is bad for us!

So, what else is going on with our fish??

Fish are sensitive monitors of the environment,

and what’s bad for the fish is bad for us!

Fish & wildlife as sensors of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Fish & wildlife as sensors of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Reproductive problems: Intersex fish near outflow of sewage plants Great Lakes fish exposed to PCBs Fish-eating birds and mammals Florida alligators after pesticide spills Baltic Sea seals Florida panthers

Reproductive problems: Intersex fish near outflow of sewage plants Great Lakes fish exposed to PCBs Fish-eating birds and mammals Florida alligators after pesticide spills Baltic Sea seals Florida panthers

What are endocrine disruptors?What are endocrine disruptors?Chemicals that can: mimic natural hormones block action of natural hormones interact with receptors for natural

chemicals & hormones change the metabolism of natural

hormones increase sensitivity to hormones &

mimics Not just reproductive hormones (estrogen

& testosterone), also thyroid & ?insulin

Chemicals that can: mimic natural hormones block action of natural hormones interact with receptors for natural

chemicals & hormones change the metabolism of natural

hormones increase sensitivity to hormones &

mimics Not just reproductive hormones (estrogen

& testosterone), also thyroid & ?insulin

What chemicals are endocrine disruptors?What chemicals are

endocrine disruptors? DDT Dioxin PCBs (transformers) Kepone Bisphenols, phthalates (plastics

manufacturing) Pesticides: dieldrin, chlordane Alkylphenols: plastics, industrial

detergents, spermicide Polyalkylated hydrocarbons (PAH):

industrial chemicals, many uses

DDT Dioxin PCBs (transformers) Kepone Bisphenols, phthalates (plastics

manufacturing) Pesticides: dieldrin, chlordane Alkylphenols: plastics, industrial

detergents, spermicide Polyalkylated hydrocarbons (PAH):

industrial chemicals, many uses

Outcomes of endocrine disruptionOutcomes of endocrine disruption Fish: expression of both sex organs

(intersex) Many species: reduction in fertility,

conception, full-term offspring, changes in sex ratios

Precocious puberty in humans

Fish: expression of both sex organs (intersex)

Many species: reduction in fertility, conception, full-term offspring, changes in sex ratios

Precocious puberty in humans

Probable effects on humansProbable effects on humansHuman sperm density declines in concert with

increased environmental pollution levels.Human sperm density declines in concert with

increased environmental pollution levels.

Probable effects on humansProbable effects on humans

Sarnia region of Ontario’s “Chemical Valley” contaminated: polychlorinated biphenyls, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, toxic metals, volatile organics, phthalates, dioxins; all known or suspected endocrine disruptors

Male Births: All Canada: 51.2%Sarnia: 1993-03 41.2%

1999-03 34.8%

Sarnia region of Ontario’s “Chemical Valley” contaminated: polychlorinated biphenyls, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, toxic metals, volatile organics, phthalates, dioxins; all known or suspected endocrine disruptors

Male Births: All Canada: 51.2%Sarnia: 1993-03 41.2%

1999-03 34.8%

The plasticizer DEHP alters liver estrogen metabolism

The plasticizer DEHP alters liver estrogen metabolism

4 8 16

WEEKS ON DIET

0

1

2

3

4

5

Acti

vit

y (

nm

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)

E2-OHaseCONTROL

DEHP

* p<0.05

*

*

E Sulfotransferase

4 8

WEEKS ON DIET

0

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2

3

4

Acti

vit

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pm

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pro

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CONTROL

DEHP

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DEHP increases blood estrogen levels

DEHP increases blood estrogen levels

4 8 16

WEEKS ON DIET

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

Perc

ent

of

Contr

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CONTROL

DEHP

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Endocrine disruptors are linked to human cancersEndocrine disruptors are linked to human cancers

Great Lakes fish eaters: Increased # of breast cancers (BrCa)Developmental/neurological abnormalities

Taiwan: PCB, developmental abnormalities in boys born up to 6y after exposure

Long Island: BrCa increase with proximity to PCB contamination

Iowa, NC: BrCa in farm wives exposed to chlorinated pesticides

CA: Hispanic farmworkers, increased BrCa when exposed to chlordane, malathion, 2,4D; especially in younger women

Great Lakes fish eaters: Increased # of breast cancers (BrCa)Developmental/neurological abnormalities

Taiwan: PCB, developmental abnormalities in boys born up to 6y after exposure

Long Island: BrCa increase with proximity to PCB contamination

Iowa, NC: BrCa in farm wives exposed to chlorinated pesticides

CA: Hispanic farmworkers, increased BrCa when exposed to chlordane, malathion, 2,4D; especially in younger women

Q: What can we do about the fish and about ourselves?

Q: What can we do about the fish and about ourselves?

What can we do?What can we do? Demand clean water Demand that our industries comply with the

Clean Water Act and reduce emissions Be aware of exposures to pesticides, toxins,

endocrine disruptors in the home & workplace Know your fish: reduce/eliminate intake of

contaminated species, including local sport fish Consider organic foods, especially oils, grains,

and hard-to-wash vegetables Support organizations that demand clean

water, clean air, and a clean food supply!!

Demand clean water Demand that our industries comply with the

Clean Water Act and reduce emissions Be aware of exposures to pesticides, toxins,

endocrine disruptors in the home & workplace Know your fish: reduce/eliminate intake of

contaminated species, including local sport fish Consider organic foods, especially oils, grains,

and hard-to-wash vegetables Support organizations that demand clean

water, clean air, and a clean food supply!!

What current research is being done locally?

What current research is being done locally?

UPCI Center for Environmental Oncology: education, greening of new buildings, research in many factors that may influence immunity and cancer (Dr. Devra Davis et al.)

The Three Rivers Fish Study:Work with community groups to sample local fish and determine levels of heavy metals, chemicals, and endocrine disruptors (Dr. Dan Volz)

UPCI Center for Environmental Oncology: education, greening of new buildings, research in many factors that may influence immunity and cancer (Dr. Devra Davis et al.)

The Three Rivers Fish Study:Work with community groups to sample local fish and determine levels of heavy metals, chemicals, and endocrine disruptors (Dr. Dan Volz)