3.4.2 FRAM Groundfish Survey 
Fish were analyzed for contaminants in 99 tissue composites from 60 
stations sampled in 2003 by the Fisheries Resource Analysis and Monitoring 
(FRAM) Division of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) of NOAA 
as part of their western groundfish survey program (Figs. 3.1.6-3.1.9; Appendix 
Table 2). Fish collected from FRAM stations that were within the EMAP/NCA- 
West sampling frame were transferred to EPA for subsequent analysis. Species 
selected for analysis included Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus), petrale 
sole (Eopsetta jordani), rex sole ( Glyptoephalus zachirus), Dover sole 
(Microstomus pacificus) and English sole (Parophrys vetulus). Data for all 
stations and parameters are summarized in Table 3.4.4. 
Cadmium - The lower end of the range of cadmium values associated 
with non-cancer risks was exceeded in at least one composite at nine stations 
coastwide, including five sites in California, mostly near San Francisco Bay 
(CEW03419-016, 054, and 058 in the Monterey Bay NMS; 026 in Cordell Bank 
NMS; and 022 not in a NMS; Fig. 3.1.9); two in Oregon (CEW03419-082 and 
087 not in a NMS; Fig. 3.1.8); and two in Washington (CEW03419-112 and 116 
both in the Olympic Coast NMS; Fig. 3.1.7). Fish from Station CEW03419-058, 
south of San Francisco Bay (Fig.3.1.9), had cadmium in excess of the upper end 
of the non-cancer health-risk range. 
Mercury - Fish consumption has been reported to be a major source of 
mercury in humans. The human-health risk guideline level for mercury was not 
exceeded in this study, though concentrations approached that level in some 
composites. The mercury concentrations reported in this study are total mercury, 
whereas the form of mercury that may cause human-health effects is methyl 
mercury. However, the U.S. EPA recommends an approach where total mercury 
concentration is measured, and with the use of a conservative assumption that 
all mercury is present as methylmercury, a comparison is made to the 
methylmercury risk based guideline (U.S. EPA 2000b). This conservative 
approach is viewed as being both protective of human health and most cost 
effective. The presence of selenium in these fish tissue samples may reduce the 
health impacts of methyl mercury, as selenium sequesters mercury, making it 
metabolically unavailable (for a review, see Raymond and Ralston 2004). 
Other parameters - The health-risk guideline values for metals (other 
than cadmium), PCBs, and pesticides were not exceeded in fish collected from 
the FRAM survey (Table 3.4.4). The maximum concentration of total DDT 
measured was 30.4 ng/g, which is below the risk guideline. One composite 
sample from Washington (CEW03419-122) had an aldrin concentration of 0.64 
ng/g, but the other composite from the same station had no aldrin, and aldrin was 
undetected in all other samples. Levels of all other pesticides were undetectable. 
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