CA Coastal Caucus Co-Chairs Raise Alarm Over Potential DDT in CA Seafood Supply

WASHINGTON — California Coastal Caucus co-chairs Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) Nov. 29, led a letter urging Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and EPA Administrator Michael Regan to look into whether dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane or DDT, a pollutant that may be causing a spike in cancer in sea lions, is also causing a spike in cancer in humans. The letter follows a visit Lieu took to The Marine Mammal Center, where he learned of a startling increase in cancer among sea lions. Researchers believe the increase could be attributed to the presence of DDT in the fish that sea lions consume, which can also be consumed by human beings.

In highlights from the letter, members wrote:

“Recent research from the Marine Mammal Center shows a startling increase in cancer in sea lions along the California coast. Researchers believe this increase may be attributable to the presence of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) leaking into the ocean, which affects the food supply that sea lions consume. The Southern California coast was previously used as a DDT dumping ground. Humans can also eat the same seafood that sea lions do, and the obvious question is if DDT is indeed causing a spike in cancer in sea lions, is this DDT also causing a spike in cancer in humans? We ask your agencies to take the actions necessary to answer that critical health question.

“The Marine Mammal Center headquartered in Sausalito, California, is the largest marine mammal hospital in the world and is a global leader in marine mammal health and disease investigation. Scientists at the Center have found alarming increases of urogenital carcinoma in sea lions. There are several factors that may lead to the development of cancer in sea lions. One factor, however, deserves heightened attention. Persistent organic pollutants — and DDT in particular — have been heavily linked to urogenital cancer. In humans, for example, reproductive tract cancer is associated with higher exposure to pollutants, and exposure to DDT increases the risk for cancer later in life.”

Members requested that in the short term, both agencies take action to answer this critical question as soon as possible. For the long term, members urged more investment into research and studies that will aid in understanding of risks and disease manifestations from pollutants in our oceans.