RD423 - Virginia Department of Health Guideline for Issuance of Fish-Eating Advisory Due to Contamination of Fish with Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (Revised 2010)


Executive Summary:
Pursuant to § 32.1-248.01, Code of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) “...shall develop a written policy, which shall be revised annually, that identifies the criteria and levels of concern for certain toxic substances that the Department will use in determining whether to issue a fish consumption advisory...” VDH currently maintains fish consumption guidelines for five fish contaminants, including dioxin, kepone, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphyenyl ethers (PBDEs). Warnings against eating fish that may be contaminated with PBDEs were included in the initial guidelines developed in 2000 because PBDEs persist in the environment, bioaccumulate in the food chain, and have been shown to be produce kidney, liver, thyroid, and developmental toxicity. A new daily reference dose from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prompted VDH to revise its guidelines, lowering the concentration of PBDEs in fish for issuance of consumption advisories. The new guidelines will become effective November 1, 2010.