Trace Metal and Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Shellfish from Irish Waters, 2000

Major shellfish growing areas were sampled in accordance with the monitoring requirements of Council Directive 79/923/EEC, on the quality required of shellfish waters, and Council Directive 91/492/EEC, laying down the health conditions for the production and placing on the market of live bivalve molluscs. Data for physicochemical parameters in water, trace metal levels and chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations in shellfish are presented. EU Commission Regulation 466/2001/EC (as amended by Regulation 221/2002/EC) came into effect on 5th April 2002. This set maximum levels for mercury, cadmium and lead in bivalve molluscs of 0.5mg/kg, 1mg/kg, and 1.5mg/kg wet weight respectively. In the absence of EU standards for other contaminants in shellfish, monitoring results have been compared to strictest guidance or standard values available in other OSPAR Convention contracting countries. As in previous years, the water quality from shellfish growing areas was good and conformed to the requirements of the Directive. Petroleum hydrocarbons were not visible in any of the shellfish waters or as deposits on the shellfish. Levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons and trace metals in shellfish tissue were very low in all areas, which is evidence of the clean, unpolluted nature of Irish shellfish and shellfish producing waters. This survey confirms previous studies (McGovern et al., 2001; Bloxham et al., 1998; Smyth et al., 1997 and Nixon et al., 1995, 1994, and 1991), which show that contamination from trace metals and chlorinated hydrocarbons is low in Irish shellfish products.Funder: Marine Institut