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Seafood Testing Results

The Deepwater Horizon accident has raised concerns as to the safety of Alabama seafood. To ensure the safety of our seafood, the Alabama Departments of Agriculture and Industry (ADAI), Conservation and Natural Resources (Marine Resources Division) (ADCNR/MRD), and ADPH, Bureau of Clinical Laboratories (BCL) and Epidemiology Toxicology Branch, have instituted a three-year seafood testing program in cooperation with British Petroleum (BP). Seafood samples (crabs, finfish, oysters, and shrimp) were collected from open water and seafood processors, and tested for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in crude oil, and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DOSS) found in dispersants.

Table 1. Current Alabama Seafood Sampling Results

Collected July through September 2014 and tested 1/8/2015

Seafood Group

Total Tested

Number without Detections

Number with Detections

Number Exceeding LOC1

Range of Findings (ppm)

Crab

20

8*

12

0

< LOD-0.037< P>

Finfish

92

3*

89

0

< LOD-0.079

Oysters

9

7*

2

0

< LOD- TR2

Shrimp

16

1*

15

0

< LOD-0.095


Table 2. Cumulative Monthly Alabama Seafood Sampling Results

Collected and tested 10/27/2011- 1/8/2015

Seafood Group

Total Tested

Number without Detections

Number with Detections

Number Exceeding LOC1

Range of Findings (ppm)

Crab

217

79*

138

0

TR2-0.283

Finfish

1101

219*

882

0

TR2-0.349

Oysters

100

36*

64

0

TR2-0.175

Shrimp

698

489*

209

0

TR 2-0.170

* Results were below Limit of Detection (LOD)

1 FDA's Levels of Concern (LOC)
2 Trace (TR) any finding above LOD and below Limit of Quantification (LOQ)

Monthly Summaries*

*For historical data, please call Epidemiology at 800-338-8374 and ask for Dr. John Guarisco, Environmental Toxicologist.

Water Body Codes

Alabama Water Body Codes





Page last updated: May 13, 2021