Chinese Seafood Tainted With Organochlorines

China, the largest producer and exporter of fish and fish products in the world, is likely to come under pressure to more closely monitor shellfish contaminant levels after a study in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found worryingly high levels of organochlorine pesticides in oysters, mussels, and squid. The report says that samples from fish markets in Guangdong Province contained concentrations of contaminants high enough to pose a threat to human health.

Although organochlorine pesticides were officially banned in 1983, China had been using them for decades prior to the ban. Because organochlorines do not degrade easily, they can remain in the environment for years, moving up and down the food chain. Additionally, there is evidence that new sources, particularly of DDT, may be present and contributing to the contamination.

The new study focused on seafood from markets in 11 coastal cities in Guangdong Province, an area that has experienced explosive economic growth in recent years. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and conversion of agricultural lands to commercial use have accelerated the environmental deterioration in this region, say the researchers.

The researchers analyzed shrimps, crabs, and mollusks for 21 different organochlorine pesticides. They reported that DDT and HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) were detected most frequently and measured at the highest concentrations. These highest concentrations were observed in mollusks – specifically oysters, mussels, and squid. Concentrations of DDT in some of the seafood were high enough to pose human health threats. Other organochlorine pesticides present were at concentrations high enough to pose human cancer risks.

China currently exports more than 3 million (metric) tons of seafood products per year, primarily to Japan, Korea, the United States and Europe. The report’s authors urge that further research be conducted to identify the new sources of organochlorine pesticide contamination and to ascertain whether consumer advisories be issued in relation to consumption levels.

Related articles:
Pesticide Contamination Ubiquitous In Pregnant Women
POP Goes The Planet
Salmon From Fish Farms A Tad Toxic
Concern Over Environmental Estrogen
World’s Fish Stocks Face New Danger
Prozac In Wastewater Threatens Mussels

Source: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

, ,

Comments are closed.

Gense, Sweden. Set of six Focus seafood cutlery in stainless steel. picture

Gense, Sweden. Set of six Focus seafood cutlery in stainless steel.

$400.00



KAJ FRANCK

KAJ FRANCK "SCANDIA" for Hackman, Finland. Six stainless steel seafood cutlery

$400.00



1985 Swashbuckler Seafood Restaurant Menu Emile Jaha Downtown Portland Oregon picture

1985 Swashbuckler Seafood Restaurant Menu Emile Jaha Downtown Portland Oregon

$57.50



Crab Seafood Restaurant Open 17

Crab Seafood Restaurant Open 17"x14" Neon Light Sign Lamp Decor Beer Bar Open

$119.49



Vintage QUEWHIFFLE RESTAURANT Menu-ABERDEEN, NC-Defunct-Seafood & Steaks picture

Vintage QUEWHIFFLE RESTAURANT Menu-ABERDEEN, NC-Defunct-Seafood & Steaks

$8.95



Chic's Seafood Hagerstown MD Home Menu ca 1970s picture

Chic's Seafood Hagerstown MD Home Menu ca 1970s

$16.50



San Francisco California Chowders Seafood Restaurant Menu Brochure Pier 39 Clams picture

San Francisco California Chowders Seafood Restaurant Menu Brochure Pier 39 Clams

$12.50



1950's Wheeler & Co Restaurant Seafood Menu London England UK Dover Soles AS IS picture

1950's Wheeler & Co Restaurant Seafood Menu London England UK Dover Soles AS IS

$9.99



Department 56 Seasons Bay

Department 56 Seasons Bay "Fresh Seafood By The Shore" w/Box #53604 - New - Rare

$60.00



New Live Cooked Lobsters Seafood Neon Sign 24

New Live Cooked Lobsters Seafood Neon Sign 24"x20" Lamp Poster Real Glass

$222.17



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes