M. Kelsh’s scientific contributions

Contaminated fish in Santa Monica Bay, California, have raised concerns about health risks from local seafood consumption. In preparation for a new health risk analysis, a field study was undertaken to determine local angler consumption rates, consumption characteristics, and angler catch. During 1991-92, biologists interviewed 1,244 anglers on piers, party boats, private boats, and beaches; 555 provided consumption-rate estimates. In contrast to previous studies, non-English as well as English speaking anglers were interviewed. The median seafood consumption rate of 21 g/day for local anglers was less than the national average. Consumption-rate distributions were highly skewed, upper-decile consumption rates being several times higher than median rates. Upper-decile consumption rates were more useful than median rates in delineating demographic and species-specific differences in consumption rates. Angler consumption rates of potentially contaminated species and angler awareness of health risks varied by ethnic group; therefore communication of health risks should target habits and languages of high-risk anglers.