Acute and chronic dietary exposure to domoic acid in recreational harvesters: A survey of shellfish consumption behavior

- Some recreational harvesters risk acute and chronic exposure to domoic acid.
- Acute exposure results from higher consumption rates and/or lower bodyweights.
- Chronic exposure is present at low levels in recreational harvesters.
- Uncertainty in exposure estimates requires consumption data across all demographics.
- Demographic and consumption information can inform seafood safety regulations.

Domoic acid (DA) is a neurotoxin that is naturally produced by phytoplankton and accumulates in seafood during harmful algal blooms. As the prevalence of DA increases in the marine environment, there is a critical need to identify seafood consumers at risk of DA poisoning. DA exposure was estimated in recreational razor clam (Siliqua patula) harvesters to determine if exposures above current regulatory guidelines occur and/or if harvesters are chronically exposed to low levels of DA. Human consumption rates of razor clams were determined by distributing 1523 surveys to recreational razor clam harvesters in spring 2015 and winter 2016, in Washington, USA. These consumption rate data were combined with DA measurements in razor clams, collected by a state monitoring program, to estimate human DA exposure. Approximately 7% of total acute exposures calculated (including the same individuals at different times) exceeded the current regulatory reference dose (0.075 mg DA·kg bodyweight− 1·d− 1) due to higher than previously reported consumption rates, lower bodyweights, and/or by consumption of clams at the upper range of legal DA levels (maximum 20 mg·kg− 1 wet weight for whole tissue). Three percent of survey respondents were potentially at risk of chronic DA exposure by consuming a minimum of 15 clams per month for at 12 consecutive months. These insights into DA consumption will provide an additional tool for razor clam fishery management.