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7921653 
Dissertation 
Methylmercury exposure through fish ingestion and trends in human health risk in the Merrimack River watershed 
Blake, T 
2017 
Boston, MA 
Tufts University 
Northeast Massachusetts has the highest concentration of point sources for mercury emissions in the state. Emissions from major point sources decreased 96% from the 1990s to 2008 as a result of stricter controls on releases. Fish consumption is the primary exposure route for people. This thesis used risk assessment to assess whether reduction in mercury emissions over time was contributing to lower exposure and risk among people who eat fish from lakes and ponds in the Merrimack River watershed. Decreases in risk were observed from 1999 to 2011, but this risk assessment demonstrates that unacceptable risk continues to exist for people who eat fish from these water bodies, especially young children. Small sample sizes and differences in average fish weight throughout the study period introduced uncertainty in the study. The observed reduced risk has positive public health implications but also demonstrates the continuing need for fish advisories.