Kalamazoo River Angler Survey and Biological Testing Study

摘要

The Kalamazoo River Angler Survey and Biological Testing Study was undertaken toevaluate PCB,DDE and mercury exposure in sport anglers who fish the affected portions of the Kalamazoo River and Portage Creek (KR/PC). The primary public health concern examined in this study was whether exposure to PCB,DDE and mercury through consumption of contaminated fish significantly influenced the levels of these environmental contaminants in blood, and whether concomitant changes in health conditions would be reported by the participants. This study was performed in two phases. PHASE I identified persons fishing within the affected zone and obtained their demographic information, fishing behavior and fish consumption patterns through a questionnaire survey. Consenting PHASE I participants were then enrolled in the PHASE II follow-up study which recorded their self-reported health conditions, occupational histories, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and blood specimen chemical residue analyses.