National Study of Chemical Residues in Fish. 3. Study Results

摘要

Bottom feeding and game fish, from each of nearly 400 sites throughout the UnitedStates were analyzed for 15 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs), PCBs, 21 pesticides and herbicides, and 13 other organic chemicals, and mercury. Seven of the PCDD/PCDFs and 15 of the other chemicals were detected at over 50 percent of the sites. PCBs were detected at 91% of all sites at a mean concentration of 1.90 microgram/g, and exceeded 10 microgram/g at 10 sites. 2,3,7,8-TCDD was detected at 70 percent of the sites at a mean concentration of 6.9 ppt and a maximum concentration of 204 ppt. 2,3,7,8-TCDF was detected at 89 percent of the sites at a mean concentration of 13.6 ppt and a maximum concentration of 404 ppt. No correlation between specific sources and most of the analytes could be made.