Research report

Investigation into the levels of environmental contaminants in Scottish marine and freshwater fin-fish and shellfish

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Summary

Central Science Laboratory
Fernandes, A ;
Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ
Bradley, E; Brereton, N; Rose, M; Smith, F; Panton, S; Carr, M; Petch, R

Food contamination can occur due to chemicals present in the environment. Some occur naturally whilst others result from historical industrial activities, global or local pollution. In 2006 FSA published data on ‘Dioxins and PCBs in wild and farmed fish and shellfish’ and ‘BFRs in farmed and wild fish, shellfish and fish oils’. These surveys included some Scottish samples but not all species of deep sea fish or fish caught and consumed by anglers from freshwater courses, sea lochs and estuaries. This project identified Scottish fishing grounds or aquatic habitats with a history of exposure to environmental contamination and the edible species of fish and shellfish that they support. Suitable samples of fish and shellfish were taken from selected locations and analysed for environmental chemicals including metals, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and phthalates.

Project Code: S14040/41

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