MadSci Network: Medicine |
This is a very interesting question. The Food and Drug Administration regulates the safety of seafood sold in the United States. In 1993 the FDA published a "Guidance Document for Arsenic in Shellfish" which is available on the web: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/guid-as.html#sb FDA developed this document to answer questions from local and state officials for regarding the safety of arsenic in shellfish. The document was written to assist local and state health officials in their deliberations concerning the need to issue consumption advisories or to close waters for fishing because of excessive arsenic contamination. This document should have answers to most of your questions about how arsenic gets into shellfish, why arsenic is toxic, and how to calculate levels of concern. Happy reading!
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