The Risk Reduction Work Team will recruit, convene and oversee a Multidisciplinary Panel to:
(1) Identify and evaluate methods to better distinguish and characterize at-risk populations for the purpose of targeting risk-reduction and impact-mitigation efforts; (2) Develop and assess of a range potential actions to evaluate, address and reduce health risks and health impacts associated with consumption of Bay fish; (3) Identify options that will (a) have an impact in both the short and long term and (b) can be integrated into institutions so as to ensure long-term implementation.
It is anticipated that the Panel will meet twice. The focus and deliverables of each step are described below. The results of this Panel will then serve as the basis for selecting a package of pilot actions to be funded and implemented by the CEP and other relevant agencies and dischargers.
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has issued interim fish consumption advisories for San Francisco Bay due to elevated concentrations of mercury, polychorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and organochlorine pesticides. These advisories have been issued due to the significant health concern with respect to exposure to mercury, PCBs, and other pollutants in fish are an increased likelihood of neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, PCBs and dioxins are also on EPA’s list of probable carcinogens. Although no regulatory criteria have yet been established for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), the presence of these pollutants in fish is an additional cause for concern.
The health advisories are evidence that beneficial use of the Bay for sport fishing is impaired, resulting in the presence of San Francisco Bay on the official list of impaired water bodies pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act (Water Board, 2002). The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Control Board’s TMDL reports for mercury (Johnson and Looker, 2004) and PCBs (Water Board, 2004) indicate that because of large, historic inputs of pollutants that still remain in the Bay, impairment of Bay waters will persist for anywhere from 70 to 150 years, even with implementation of control measures.
Consequently, it appears likely that health advisories for consumption of fish from the Bay will be required for a very long time. This fact has led to consideration of how public resources can be used to reduce this public health risk in the Bay Area.
Impacts, Public comment and response, Fish, Health, Local Planning, Funding/Financing, Objectives
