HEALTH CONSULTATION

MARTIN CREEK LAKE
HENDERSON, RUSK AND PANOLA COUNTIES, TEXAS

CONCLUSIONS

1. The levels of selenium in Martin Creek Reservoir have decreased significantly during the period of investigation (1979 - 1998).


2. Estimated exposures to selenium from eating fish from Martin Creek do not exceed minimum risk levels for adverse health effects for children consuming one to two meals per week (4 ounces each) or for adults consuming approximately two meals per week (8 ounces each). Approximately three times these amounts would be required to exceed the lowest levels reasonably expected to result in signs and symptoms of toxicity, therefore, ingestion of fish from Martin Creek Reservoir poses no apparent public health hazard.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The fish consumption advisory issued for Martin Creek Lake in 1992 should be re-evaluated based on the current recommended limitations on long-term fish consumption.

REFERENCES

1. IRIS, 1998. Integrated Risk Information System. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office. Cincinnati, Ohio.


2. ATSDR, 1996. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Selenium. Atlanta: ATSDR, Aug. 1996.


3. Lemly, 1985. Toxicology of selenium in a freshwater reservoir: Implications for environmental hazard evaluation and safety. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Safety 10:314-338.


4. Welsh, et al., 1981. Selenium in self-selected diets of Maryland residents. J. Am. Diet Assoc. 79-277-85.


5. FNB, NRC, 1980. Food and Nutrition Board, National Research Council: Recommended dietary allowances, 9th ed. Washington, D.C: National Academy of Sciences.


6. Longnecker, et.al., 1991. Selenium in diet, blood, and toenails in relation to human health in a seleniferous area. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53:1288-94.


7. Yang, et.al., 1983. Endemic selenium intoxication of humans in China. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 37:872-81.

PREPARERS OF THE REPORT

Lisa R. Williams, M.S.
Toxicologist
Health Risk Assessment and Toxicology Program

John F. Villanacci, Ph.D.
Director
Health Risk Assessment and Toxicology Program

ATSDR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

George Pettigrew, P.E.
Senior Regional Representative
ATSDR - Region 6

ATSDR TECHNICAL PROJECT OFFICER

William Greim
Environmental Health Scientist
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Superfund Site Assessment Branch

CERTIFICATION

The Martin Creek Lake Health Consultation was prepared by the Texas Department of Health under a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). It is in accordance with approved methodology and procedures existing at the time the Health Consultation was initiated.

Technical Project Officer, SPS, SSAB, DHAC

The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this Health Consultation and concurs with its findings.

Chief, SPS, SSAB, DHAC, ATSDR

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