The Center is addressing the neurodevelopmental effects of fish-borne chemicals in a collaborative way. Dr. Paul Kostyniak, director of the Center’s Analytical Toxicology Core, has developed a mixture of PCBs designed to mimic the PCB congener profile in fish from the Fox River. The hope is that the laboratory results using this mixture will directly inform the epidemiology team of what neurodevelopmental outcomes they should focus on in the children they are following.

In addition to PCBs, the Center has expanded its focus to include methylmercury and more recently Polychlorinated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), which are similar in structure and toxicity profile to PCBs. PBDEs are used for flame retardants and are rapidly accumulating in the environment. The investigators are particularly keen on finding out whether there are any additive or synergistic effects from combined exposure to these chemicals. “There has been a fair amount of research on each of these contaminants, both with animals and in epidemiology, but there haven’t been a lot of studies designed to address combined exposure,” says Dr. Schantz.  This is a significant issue because all three contaminants are present in fish, making combined exposure likely.

While the majority of area residents are aware of the danger of consuming fish from the Fox River, some continue to eat large quantities of sport-caught fish. Dr. Schantz says that one of the many challenges of the project is breaking through language and cultural barriers to better educate immigrants of the risks to children from consuming fish from the polluted waters in the region. This kind of community intervention is challenging, but important and rewarding work, she says. “Green Bay is my home, I grew up there and my parents still live in the community, so the whole contamination issue there is very personal.”