Biomonitoring of the Great Lakes Populations III

BGLP-III, Milwaukee Angler Project, September 30, 2015 – June 30, 2020

The ATSDR BGLP-III awarded funds to Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WIDHS). The project is locally referred to as “The Milwaukee Angler Project.” The purpose of the BGLP-III program was to evaluate body burden levels of legacy and emerging contaminants in susceptible Great Lakes populations in the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) in Wisconsin, an area that had not been previously covered by BGLP-I and II.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WIDHS)
Project Description:

In the state of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Estuary AOC is of particular concern because the Milwaukee River Basin is located in the most densely populated area of Wisconsin. The Basin encompasses portions of seven counties and is home to about 1.3 million people. The Milwaukee Estuary was designated an AOC in 1987 because historical modifications and pollutant loads had degraded sections of the Milwaukee River, connected waterways, and Lake Michigan. Ongoing work conducted by the United States Geological Survey shows the Milwaukee Estuary AOC is among the 10 most contaminated of the 27 designated AOCs in the Great Lakes Basin for many of the contaminants of concern included in this program. Industrial, urban, and agricultural pollution have resulted in sediments contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals. These contaminants may pose a threat to the health of local residents, especially anglers who regularly eat fish caught in the AOC.

WIDHS targeted two adult populations: 1) licensed anglers who live near the Milwaukee Estuary (n=389), and 2) Burmese refugees and their descendants who live in the City of Milwaukee (n=103). The Burmese refugee community has been shown to consume high quantities of fish and may experience difficulties accessing culturally and linguistically appropriate fish consumption advisory behavior. The program measured 6 classes of contaminants in participants’ urine and blood samples:

  • Blood metals
  • Serum PCBs
  • Serum persistent chlorinated pesticides
  • Serum brominated flame retardants
  • Serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
  • Urinary PAH metabolites

Using the results of this program, WIDHS created Milwaukee-specific fish advisories and educational videos for both the angler and Burmese communities. Meetings to share results with participants were held both in person (2019) and virtually (2020).  Findings from this program will continue to guide public health recommendations on safe fish eating, reducing and preventing harmful chemical exposures in Great Lakes populations while encouraging healthy benefits of fish consumption.

Page last reviewed: August 19, 2021