Alyce Ujihara California Department of Public Health March 28, Presentation to the Delta Tributaries Mercury Council

Transcription

1 Alyce Ujihara California Department of Public Health March 28, 2012 Presentation to the Delta Tributaries Mercury Council

2 What is the Problem? Hg and PCBs are elevated in many San Francisco Bay fish Many people eat fish and are exposed to chemicals Long-term solution: clean up (TMDLs) Interim solution: convince fish consumers to change their consumption patterns to reduce their exposure

3 What is the SFB Fish Project? Two-year project (Nov to Oct. 2012) to raise awareness about Hg and PCBs in SFB fish and reduce exposures Risk reduction is part of Hg and PCB TMDLs and discharger permits Funding sources: $290K from dischargers and USEPA CDPH (staff time) Collaborative effort: SFEI-ASC, SFB Water Board, OEHHA, local agencies, dischargers, community groups, others

4 What are the SFB Fish Project Activities? Convening Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) Developing educational materials Supporting community-based projects Conducting training and providing technical assistance

5 Educational Materials Advisory brochure Kiosk version of advisory San Francisco Bay Warning Sign

6 Community-based Projects 4 community groups received $20k to $25k each Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice California Indian Environmental Alliance APA Family Support Services Kids for the Bay CDPH provides training/assistance Evaluation Kids for the Bay

7 Evaluation of Community Projects Outputs who participates and in what capacity? Are participants consumers of SFB fish? Are consumers are at risk? Women of childbearing age or children Consumes SFB fish 2 or more times/week Eats highly contaminated species Activity type: one-on-one, workshop, class, community event Outcomes what changed? Measure changes in awareness, knowledge, and/or intent to change behavior Evaluation tools: pre/post test and retrospective post-test

8 Greenaction s Project (Bayview Hunter s Point) Interviews and education with anglers at fishing locations Community presentations Workshops with women of childbearing age at health clinics Distribution of written information (brochures, newsletters and articles for local publications)

9 Greenaction s Project (angler interviews--preliminary results) Angler interviews (n=260) 213 consumers of SFB fish 81 at risk 646 other household members who eat SFB fish Education and retrospective post-test (n=173) Example question [asked men/older women only]: I plan to limit the amount of white croaker, sharks, and sturgeon I eat from San Francisco Bay to no more than one serving per week. Results: Definitely/probably 48% definitely not/probably not 16% DK/unsure/N/A 36%

10 Training Training topics Sources and exposure pathways Health risks and benefits Advisories (including commercial fish) Training activities: Funded community groups staff Native American Health Center Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic staff Social service providers serving Asian/Pacific Islanders Staff from East Bay Regional Park District

11 Next Steps Media activities around sign posting and community projects (June) Next SAG meeting June 14 th in Oakland Assist Region 5 Water Board in developing similar program in the Delta Applying for continuation funds from USEPA Water Quality Improvement Fund grant

12 For More Information Visit project website: Get on our list Contact information: (510)