Critique of Current Risk Assessment Practices for Fish Consumption. K. Mathews, J. Kinnell, and M. Bingham, Triangle Economic Research
Self-caught fish consumption is often cited as the primary exposure pathway for human health risks associated with the presence of hazardous substances in sediment. To estimate risk, current methods typically involve consumption estimates relating to the central tendency (CT) and hypothetical reasonably maximally exposed (RME) individual. These estimates relate to the 50th and 90th percentile consumption observations, respectively, from the distribution of individuals consuming fish. A number of issues arise from this process that cloud both the quality of the reported consumption levels for the population of potential consumers and the choice of potential policy decisions. This paper presents a critique of current risk assessment practices as they relate to the use of the CT and RME individual scenarios. It also provides a discussion of how the inclusion of population considerations and varying consumption assumptions alter consumption levels, potential risk estimates, and benefits of different risk-management alternatives.
The paper relies on data from two different surveys of recreational anglers. The cases illustrate the implications of varying consumption assumptions and including and excluding population parameters in consumption estimates. The case studies provide insight into how varying consumption assumptions and including population estimates influences the benefits of different risk management scenarios. Moreover, the case studies demonstrate the arbitrary nature of current risk assessment practices.
The paper concludes by providing context of how the case studies relate to different risk management alternatives, which range from increased enforcement of fish consumption advisories, risk communication programs, fish replacement programs, and removal of contaminated sediments. The paper compares the potential benefits and costs of these different alternatives and their likelihood of maximizing social welfare.
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