Afssa - National study of PCB impregnation: Who is involved and what does participation involve?

Who is involved and what does participation involve?
National study of PCB impregnation

The study is being conducted on 629 households of amateur or professional anglers (612 amateur angler households and 17 professional angler households) who are members of an approved association for fishing and water protection (AAPPMA) or an approved professional fishing association located in the fishing areas covered by the study. Approximately 100 associations and 20 departmental or inter-departmental fishing federations are participating under the auspices of the French national fishing federation (FNPF) for amateur anglers and of the National committee for professional fresh water fishing (CONAPPED) for professional anglers.

Procedure

Any household with anglers residing in one of the fishing areas in the study may be asked to participate, after a random draw to guarantee the scientific quality of the study protocol. The angler and/or an adult member of their household will be chosen to take part in the study.
The people contacted are not obliged to take part. However, their participation is extremely valuable as it contributes to public health research efforts.

Participants are asked:
- during an initial phone call with the angler, to describe their fishing habits and consumption of fish caught, as well as that of the members of their household;
- to describe in greater detail their eating habits and living environment during an interview in their home;
- to undergo a health check-up (which may take place either at the nearest medical analysis laboratory or in their own home).This check-up includes an appraisal of their general state of health and a blood test to determine PCB and dioxin levels.

The Lavialle Survey Institute (ISL) is in charge of conducting this part of the study. The National office for Water and Aquatic Environments (ONE MA) is adding to this study by measuring PCB and dioxin levels in fish samples taken from the six fishing areas in the study.

Schedule

The study began in April 2009. To date, approximately 600 anglers or members of their households have participated in the study. 188 of the participants are regular consumers (at least 10 times per year) of PCB bioaccumulation fish.
Data collection will continue through early spring of 2010, at which time their processing with begin. The relationship between consumption and the level of contamination of freshwater fish, as well as blood PCB and dioxin levels of those taking part in the study, will be studied. Participants will be informed of their personal results before the end of the study, planned for early 2011.

Confidentiality and right of access

All data collected during the course of this study is strictly confidential. In accordance with article 40 of the French data protection act of 7 August 2004, participants have the right to access, amend and remove personal data throughout the duration of this study.

April 2010