The Center organized a mini-symposium at the Harvard School of Public Health entitled "Contaminants In Seafood: How Fishy Are The Facts?" This mini-symposium presented the epidemiologic evidence and other issues relevant to optimizing benefits and minimizing risks from dietary seafood intakes. Presentations were made by Dr. Phillipe Grandjean on the "Adverse Effects of Seafood Contaminants", Dr. Eric Rimm on "The Role of Seafood in a Balanced Diet", Dr. Joshua Cohen on "Methods for Evaluating Risks and Benefits of Seafood Diets", and Dr. James Shine on "Environmental Determinants of Seafood Contamination." A panel discussion with all of the speakers, plus Dr. David Bellinger, was moderated by Dr. Joe Brain. The panel discussed who may be at risk from seafood contamination or lack of seafood nutrients, the difficulties in translating possible risks/benefits into primary prevention and dietary advisories, and why this issue has become controversial and prevalent in the media.