Report Reference
#94-3
Publication Date
October 1994
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A Fish Consumption Survey of the Umatilla, Nez Perce, Yakama, and Warm Springs Tribes of the Columbia River Basin
Abstract |
| During the fall and winter of 1991-1992, a survey was conducted
among Columbia River Basin Indian tribes to determine the level and
nature of fish consumption among individual tribal members. The survey
was initiated to test the hypotheses that Indians in that region consume
more fish than non-Indians, that the national fish consumption rate
of 6.5 grams per day (gpd) used by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA) to develop human health based water quality
criteria might not be applicable to tribal members, and that a human
health risk might exist among tribal members from exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
(dioxin) and other waterborne toxic contaminants. We also wished to
consider whether water quality standards based on the estimated national
fish consumption rate and adopted for waters in the Columbia River
Basin were appropriate with regard to the findings of the survey.
The survey consisted of interviews made at four Columbia River Basin
tribal reservations (Nez Perce, Warm Springs, Yakama and Umatilla)
and was based on a stratified random sampling design. A total of 513
tribal members at least 18 years old were directly surveyed. These
respondents also provided information for 204 children age 5 or younger.
Information obtained included a breakdown of consumption by age group,
season, species consumed, parts of the fish consumed, preparation
methods, and changes in patterns of consumption over time and during
ceremonies and festivals. Survey respondents aged 18 and older consumed
an average of 58.7 gpd while children aged 5 and younger consumed
an average of 19.6 gpd. These rates are respectively, approximately
nine times and three times higher than the estimated national fish
consumption rate and seriously call into question the applicability
and adequacy of using a national fish consumption rate to protect
tribal members' health. Both adults and children consumed salmon and
resident trout more than any other fish species. The fish fillet and
skin were, overall, the two most consumed fish parts but respondents
also consumed the head, eggs, bones and organs of almost all fish
species consumed. Although this consumption data signals a potential
increased health risk to tribal members, consumption data alone does
not tell us the extent to which tribal members are exposed to waterborne
toxics. Consequently, as phase two of this project, information in
this report will be combined with data on fish tissue contaminant
levels in fish collected and consumed from Columbia River Basin tribal
fisheries. |
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