Bradley, M., 2001, Alaska Pollution Issues Update: Alaska Native Health Board: Anchorage, 78 p.
Summary
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The persistent environmental contaminants include organochlorine compounds such as the PCBs and pesticides, heavy metals and radioactive elements. They are found at many military sites, mining and oil extraction sites and municipal land fills throughout Alaska. Most however, originate from other parts of the world and make their way here by air, water and even migratory wildlife pathways. Chemically they are very stable and concentrate in the food chain, which serves as the most significant route of exposure to humans. While many traditional foods from many areas of the state have yet to be tested, data that is available indicates levels in traditional foods are not significantly elevated. Nearly all are below the [...]
Summary
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The persistent environmental contaminants include organochlorine compounds such as the PCBs and pesticides, heavy metals and radioactive elements. They are found at many military sites, mining and oil extraction sites and municipal land fills throughout Alaska. Most however, originate from other parts of the world and make their way here by air, water and even migratory wildlife pathways. Chemically they are very stable and concentrate in the food chain, which serves as the most significant route of exposure to humans. While many traditional foods from many areas of the state have yet to be tested, data that is available indicates levels in traditional foods are not significantly elevated. Nearly all are below the FDA action level. Highest levels are of heavy metals in marine mammal liver and kidneys. However, potential health effects are based on cumulative lifetime exposures so periodic consumption of marine mammal organs may not even come close to a potential toxic level of exposure. Levels of these contaminants in Alaska Natives are about the same as in other populations and are consistent with the levels in traditional foods. The persistent environmental contaminants have a range of known and suspected health effects that may damage the central nervous and immune systems; cause cancer; or have adverse effects on the developing fetus. Health effects which would occur at low levels of exposure, which seem to be the case in Alaska, are subtle if they occur at all and are more difficult to detect. It is known however that the developing fetus and newborn infants are the most sensitive and most vulnerable to these contaminants. The value of nutritional benefits associated with traditional diets is of much greater certainty. Traditional foods contain high quality protein and many other components that sustain health and help prevent diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart diseases, etc. Studies in Canada and Alaska clearly show that diets high in traditional foods offer a much more healthy diet than western foods. More research is needed to better determine the contaminant levels in traditional foods, actual exposure to Alaskans from contaminants in traditional foods, and the ill health effects from this exposure. Until more is known, the benefits of traditional foods outweigh potential risks posed by contaminants and use of traditional foods should continue.
