Environmental Working Group (EWG) Fish Study

Study: In 2002, the Environmental Working Group in Oakland, CA collected 22 fish from 6 of the most commonly eaten species at 10 locations throughout the San Francisco Estuary. The California Department of Toxics Substances Controls Hazardous Materials Laboratory (HML) in Berkeley analyzed the samples for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Archived RMP fish samples collected in 1997 were also provided to HML for analysis. A copy of the analytical results was obtained by the RMP from HML.

EWG Sample Map

Fish Samples – Contact: J. Davis, Ph.D. (jay@sfei.org)
PBDEs (Link to data table)

Report(s):
Holden, A., J. She, M. Tanner, S. Lunder, R. Sharp, and K. Hooper. 2003. PBDEs in the San Francisco Bay Area: measurements in fish. Organohalogen Compounds 61: 255-258.

Lunder, S. and R. Sharp. 2003. Tainted catch: toxic fire retardants are building up rapidly in San Francisco Bay Fish – and people. http://www.ewg.org/reports/taintedcatch/

SFEI. 1999. Contaminant Concentrations in Fish from San Francisco Bay, 1997. San Francisco Estuary Institute, Richmond, CA.
http://www.sfei.org/rmp/reports/fish_contamination/fish_contamination.html