Tetrachlorodibenzo - p - dioxins and - dibenzofurans in edible fish tissue at selected sites in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an elevated risk to human health resulting from consumption of fish due to bioaccumulation of TCDDs and the related furans (TCDFs) in edible fish tissue downstream from discharges of bleached kraft pulp and paper mills or other potential point sources of dioxin in Region 6. The objective was to collect composite samples of multiple species of fish or other seafood organisms from NBS sites which had not since been resampled, and where EPA-derived tissue criteria for 2,3,7,8-TCDD equalled or exceeded a risk level of 1 x 10 -5. In the case of Bayou DeLoutre, Arkansas, the tissue concentration fell slightly below this level. However, both EPA Region and the State of Louisiana were interested in evaluating this waterbody below the state line, thus it was included.