The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73259

Karen L. Perry, MPA, Environment & Health Program, Physicians for Social Responsibility, 1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1012, Washington, DC 20009, 202-667-4260, kperry@psr.org

Providing information and good advice to patients and consumers is critical to reducing the health risks of exposure to fish contaminants in the short term. However, preventing pollution at its source must be the ultimate solution to the problem of fish contamination. Environmentalists working on ocean pollution issues have cited the need for the health community’s attention to this issue, and have noted the opportunities for progress that could come with an increased public health focus. In response, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) has launched a major effort to facilitate the involvement of the health community in influencing national policies on fish contaminants. Particular policies of concern include legislation and regulatory action to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants, domestic ratification and implementation of an international treaty to eliminate persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and regulatory action against specific POPs, including dioxin and PCBs.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to:
• List the major sources of various contaminants in fish;
• Describe actions that have been taken to date to minimize and prevent pollution from these sources, and actions that are still needed; and
• Utilize new tools and resources designed to help health care providers take an active role in fish contamination issues, in both the clinical setting and the policy arena.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.