HEALTH CONSULTATION

Evaluation of Metals in Bullhead, Bass, and Kokanee from Lake Coeur D'Alene

COEUR D'ALENE RIVER BASIN
COEUR D'ALENE, KOOTENAI COUNTY, IDAHO

September 19, 2003

Prepared by:

Idaho Division of Health
Under a Cooperative Agreement with the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FOREWORD

PURPOSE

PROJECT TEAM

BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF ISSUES

FISH SAMPLING

ESTIMATING EXPOSURE DOSES

IDENTIFYING METALS OF CONCERN

DISCUSSION

CHILDREN'S HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

BENEFITS OF FISH CONSUMPTION

CONCLUSIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS/PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE/PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN

PREPARERS OF REPORT

REFERENCES


LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A. Analytical Results for As, Cd, Pb, and Hg in Fish Samples Collected from Lake Coeur d'Alene in 2002 (USEPA 2003)

Appendix B. Summary of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg in Fish Samples Collected from Lake Coeur d'Alene in 2002 (mg/kg, wet weight)

Appendix C. Metals Eliminated as Contaminants of Concern

Appendix D. Toxicity Information for Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury

Appendix E. Limited Fish Meals Calculated by the State of Idaho Based on Bass, Bullhead, and Kokanee Samples Collected from Lake Coeur d'Alene in 2002

Appendix F. Joint Fish Consumption Advisory Issued by the State of Idaho and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe


LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Lake Coeur d'Alene


LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Eighteen metals analyzed in Lake Coeur d'Alene Fish Samples

Table 2. Summary of average arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury results (mg/kg, wet weight) for fish samples from Lake Coeur d'Alene (USEPA 2003)

Table 3. Fish consumption rates compared in equivalent units and amounts

Table 4. Range of annual exposure factors

Table 5. Body weights for children and adults.

Table 6. Upper limit excess cancer risk estimates for arsenic in Lake Coeur d'Alene fish.

Table 7. Blood lead levels (µg/dl) reported by CDC (2003)

Table 8. Estimated blood lead increases (µg/dl) for adults and children

Table 9. Estimated exposure doses for mercury

Table 10. Overall lake averages (mg/kg, wet weight) for arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury reported by USEPA (2003).

Table 11. Summary of results (mg/kg) from lateral lakes health consultation (ATSDR 1998)

Table 12. Comparison of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg in samples collected nation-wide with Lake Coeur d' Alene fish samples

Table 13. Metal concentrations in bass and carp samples from the Mississippi River Basin (USGS 2002)

Table 14. Average As, Cd, Pb and Hg concentrations (mg/kg, wet weight) for eight fish-related food in the FDA market basket database

Table 15. Tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) by life stage group

Table 16. Summary of hazard category conclusions


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Idaho State Department of Health and Welfare extend their appreciation to the following individuals for their assistance with preparing this document:

USEPA
Marc Stifelman and Anne Dailey, Region X, Seattle, Washington.

ATSDR
Ms. Ann E. Bradley, Ms. AnneMarie DePasquale, Dr. Jo Ann Freedman, Mr. Richard Kauffman and Dr. Sven Rodenbeck


FOREWORD

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) jointly prepared this public health consultation with the State of Idaho, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Idaho Division of Health (IDOH). ATSDR is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is the principal federal public health agency responsible for health issues related to hazardous waste. This health consultation was prepared in accordance with methodologies and guidelines developed by ATSDR.

The health consultation is an approach used by ATSDR and IDOH to respond to requests from concerned residents for health information on hazardous substances in the environment. The health consultation process evaluates sampling data collected from a hazardous waste site, determines whether exposures have occurred or could occur, reports any potential harmful effects, and recommends actions to protect public health.

This health consultation evaluates the metals data reported for fish samples collected in 2002. Analysis of metals in these samples was completed in early 2003 and final results reported in May of 2003. After reviewing the data in cooperation with multiple state and federal agencies, the State of Idaho and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe jointly issued a fish consumption advisory for Lake Coeur d'Alene in June 2003. ATSDR issued a letter of support for that advisory in June 2003. This consult documents our review and evaluation of the metals data used for the fish consumption advisory.

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