OLYMPIA — The state Department of Health warns people against eating too many razor clams.
An interim advisory issued Friday says no more than 15 razor clams per month should be eaten during a one-year period because of potential health risks associated with eating large quantities of razor clams harvested from the Washington coast.
The interim advisory applies to everyone, especially women who are pregnant or might become pregnant, nursing mothers, children, the elderly and people with compromised renal function, the state said.
The Community Advancing the Study of Tribal Nations Across the Lifespan study shows eating large amounts of razor clams with low levels of domoic acid may cause memory problems, the state said.
Universities of Maryland, Hawaii and Florida; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and several coastal tribes conducted research to evaluate long-term exposure to low-levels of domoic acid from eating razor clams.
Domoic acid is a naturally occurring toxin frequently found in shellfish and at high levels may cause amnesic shellfish poisoning. When domoic acid levels in razor clams reach 20 parts per million, the state closes harvesting areas.
The interim health advisory will remain in effect while the state gathers more information on the potential health risks associated with low-level exposure to domoic acid.
