INTERIM PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY REGARDING CONSUMPTION OF CRABS CAUGHT IN PORT ANGELES HARBOR
(Open Acrobat PDF)
As part of the environmental cleanup of the former Rayonier Mill Site, a number of horse clams and Dungeness crabs were collected from marine waters surrounding the former mill site in October and November of 2006. Tests performed on these specimens show elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins and furans (dioxins). Both PCBs and dioxins are stored in fat tissue and can accumulate in the human body when ingested. Children exposed to PCBs in the womb may have learning and behavior problems later in life, while exposure to PCBs may result in other adverse health impacts such as immune and system effects and impaired reproduction. Dioxin compounds have been linked to a wide array of health effects in animals with the most sensitive effects being immune, endocrine, and developmental effects. Both PCBs and dioxins have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals but evidence of these chemicals potential to cause cancer in humans is not as strong. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers these chemicals to be probable human carcinogens.
Port Angeles Harbor has been closed to commercial and recreational clam harvest for many years. The new data indicate that there may be a human heath risk from consumption of crab caught from Port Angeles Harbor, especially if the fatty tissues ("crab butter") of the crab are eaten. Levels of PCBs and dioxins in crab muscle ("crab meat") of the sample crabs were much lower than in fatty tissues but still above recommended levels for unlimited human consumption. Further evaluation of these data is being conducted by the Washington State Department of Health, and a final public health advisory will be issued when this evaluation is complete.
Until that time, the following interim public health advisory is issued:
1) No clams should be harvested from the tidal or marine waters of Port Angeles Harbor for human consumption. This is primarily due to biological contaminants present from sewage outfalls.
2) Recreational crab harvesters are advised to avoid consumption of all Dungeness or rock crabs caught within Port Angeles Harbor. Consumption of "crab butter" poses the greatest risk of exposure to excess PCBs and dioxins. Depending on the results of additional evaluation and analyses, specific meal advice will be forthcoming from the Washington State Department of Health.
3) Flatfish and rockfish in Port Angeles Harbor may also contain some of these contaminants, but little specific information is currently available. The Washington State Department of Health currently provides meal advice for Puget Sound rockfish at one meal per week. For other Puget Sound fish consumption advice see http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/oehas/fish/ps.htm or call 1-877-485-7316
Dungeness crabs caught in Freshwater Bay and Dungeness Bay were tested for PCBs and dioxins during the same time period as the Rayonier Mill study and found to be safe for human consumption.
Gathering recreational shellfish requires a license in Washington State and may only be done at certain times of the year. Recreational gatherers should check the Washington Department of Health's Marine Biotoxin Bulletin (http://ww4.doh.wa.gov/gis/mogifs/biotoxin.htm) for beach closures due to paralytic shellfish poisoning ("redtide") before harvesting and eating clams.
For additional information about this public health advisory please call Dr. Tom Locke at (360) 417-2437.
