Agency Recommends Adolescent and Women of Childbearing
Age Avoid Eating Crab "Mustard"

For Immediate Release: April 12, 2007

ATLANTA - A study released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) finds that eating typical amounts of crabmeat from St. Louis Bay, MS is safe; however, frequent consumption of crab hepatopancreas - or the "mustard" or liver part of the crab - can be a health concern for some.

In 2005, the Hurricane Katrina storm surge flooded much of the DuPont DeLisle plant in DeLisle, MS. The Agency tested blue crab to determine if the crab were exposed to dioxin-like compounds that may have been released from the plant. Blue crabs are not able to break down certain dioxin-like compounds in their system, and ATSDR wanted to know if eating these crab would expose residents to the compounds.

The study, called an exposure investigation, shows that eating an average of four to six crab from the St. Louis Bay per day does not pose health risks. The mustard, or liver part of the crab, that was tested contained higher amounts of dioxins. Frequent consumption of the mustard may be a health concern for some. Previous animal studies have shown that exposure to dioxins may cause developmental and reproductive disorders. Therefore, as a precaution, ATSDR recommends that adolescent girls and young women avoid eating the mustard portion of the crab.

The exposure investigation can be viewed at:
Pass Christian Public Library
111 Heirn Avenue
Pass Christian, MS

To request a copy of the exposure investigation or for more information, community members may contact ATSDR Environmental Health Scientist James Durant at 404-498-0449 or JDurant@cdc.gov.   

ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.

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Members of the news media can request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling the NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.