{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000065","name":"Smoked Salmon, Smoked Herring, and Cold-Smoked Seafood (PAH)","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"","tags":[]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"The European Union limits benzo[a]pyrene in smoked fish to 2 µg/kg. The United States has no equivalent limit.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"severe","synthesis_confidence":0.757,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.935,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"Regular smoked fish consumers; pregnant women; populations marketed smoked foods as health foods","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["Smoked salmon contains BaP 2–15 µg/kg; EU limit 2 µg/kg; no US limit; marketed as 'healthy' food (omega-3) obscuring PAH content"],"exposure_routes":"Ingestion of premium seafood product; frequent consumption in health-conscious populations"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["dermal","inhalation"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"weekly","scenarios":["Incidental mouthing or hand-to-mouth transfer by children"],"notes":"Exposure to Smoked Salmon, Smoked Herring, and Cold-Smoked Seafood (PAH) occurs via dermal. Children and infants face higher exposure per body weight due to developing detoxification systems, higher surface-area-to-weight ratio, and behavioral factors (mouthing, crawling)."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Identified safety concern","meaning":"Smoked salmon contains BaP 2–15 µg/kg; EU limit 2 µg/kg; no US limit; marketed as 'healthy' food (omega-3) obscuring PAH content.","action":"Review safety data; follow use guidelines; consider alternatives"}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"EPA Safer Choice certified","meaning":"Meets EPA criteria for safer chemical ingredients","verification":"Look for EPA Safer Choice label on packaging"}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"Is this product safe for use around children and pets?","why_it_matters":"Many household chemicals are formulated for adult use; children and pets have higher exposure per body weight and developing organ systems"}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Hot-smoked salmon/herring","notes":"Higher internal temperatures reduce PAH formation and pathogenic bacteria"},{"name":"Fresh or frozen seafood","notes":"Eliminates smoking process and associated PAH compounds"},{"name":"Canned fish in water or oil","notes":"Processed under heat, reducing PAH exposure"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) + FHSA","citation":null,"requirements":"Household products must not present unreasonable risk of injury. Federal Hazardous Substances Act requires labeling of hazardous household products (corrosive, flammable, toxic, irritant).","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA Safer Choice / Design for the Environment","citation":null,"requirements":"Voluntary program. Products meeting Safer Choice criteria can display the label. Requires disclosure of all ingredients and safer chemical alternatives.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008","citation":null,"requirements":"Classification, labelling, and packaging of hazardous chemical products. GHS-aligned hazard communication. Signal words, pictograms, and precautionary statements required.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"CPSC General Safety","issuer":"CPSC","standard":"Consumer Product Safety Act","scope":"General consumer product safety requirements"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":null,"disposal_guidance":"Varies by material; check local recycling guidelines","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"1-3_years"},"formulation":{"form":"composite_material","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":null,"name":"Salmon/fish protein base (smoked)","role":"base_material","concentration_pct":"70-85"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs (wood smoke)","role":"additive","concentration_pct":"trace ng-ug/kg"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Sodium chloride (curing salt)","role":"preservative","concentration_pct":"2-5"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Sodium nitrite (cold-smoked cure, some products)","role":"preservative","concentration_pct":"<200 ppm"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000078","material_name":"PAH in Cold-Smoked, Hot-Smoked, and Liquid-Smoke-Flavored Foods","component":null,"prevalence":"common"}],"concerning":[{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000078","concern":"Smoked salmon: premium marketed 'healthy' food (omega-3 framing); contains BaP 2–15 µg/kg; EU limit 2 µg/kg; no US limit; consumer perception mismatch (healthy food = high PAH)","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000078","concern":"IARC Group 1 carcinogen; EU sets maximum limits; FDA does not; US consumers exposed to concentrations exceeding EU standards","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000078","concern":"Potential contaminant: Heat-induced process contaminant","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]}],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000029","compound_name":"Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)","role":"base","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["smoked salmon","lox","smoked fish"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"id":"src_001","type":"regulatory","title":"EU Regulation 835/2011: PAH Maximum Limits in Smoked Foods","year":2011},{"type":"regulation","title":"Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) + FHSA","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_5f50aaf4"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA Safer Choice / Design for the Environment","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_44bbb086"},{"type":"regulation","title":"CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008","jurisdiction":"EU","id":"src_74945c54"},{"id":"iarc_100f_bap","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100F: Benzo[a]pyrene — Chemical Agents and Related Occupations","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000029"},{"id":"epa_bap_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS: Benzo[a]pyrene — Toxicological Review (Final)","year":2017,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000029"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:26:28.207Z"}}