Are Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) From Flathead Lake, Montana, USA 'Safe' To Eat?An Integrated Mercury Risk Evaluation Study

摘要

This study focused on evaluating the appropriateness of the State of Montanaconsumption guidelines for Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) from Flathead Lake,Montana, USA. This lake is jointly managed by the State and the Confederated Salishand Kootenai Tribes. Thousands of lake trout are harvested by the Tribes and donatedto local food banks yearly. Samples from forty-eight lake trout were analyzed formercury, selenium and polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs). Models that seek to quan-tify the moderating or attenuating effects of both selenium and omega-3 (n-3) PUFAson mercury toxicity were integrated with the US Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) methods for setting consumption guidelines in an attempt to better determine"safe" consumption recommendations. Omega-3 PUFAs benefits (neurodevelopmen-tal and cardiovascular) were balanced with mercury detriment to yield a potential nethealth risk/benefit. Consumption of lake trout, of any size, failed to show any predictedneurodevelopmental benefits. However, small cardiovascular benefits were predictedfor shorter fish. Selenium levels were not limiting. Data from this study indicates theState consumption guidelines may not be adequately protective for the general public,and new guidelines have been proposed. Separate, more conservative guidelines maybe considered for the food bank users pending the outcome of an upcoming study.