MadSci Network: Medicine
Query:

Re: About prawns/shrimps and arsenic toxicity.

Date: Tue Aug 28 11:24:07 2001
Posted By: Don Schaffner, Faculty, Food Science, Rutgers University
Area of science: Medicine
ID: 998107401.Me
Message:

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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