Health Risk Modifiers of Exposure to Persistent Pollutants among Indigenous Peoples of Chukotka

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess temporal trends in health risks related to most common persistent contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethanes (DDTs), lead (Pb), as well as mercury (Hg) among indigenous peoples living in coastal areas of Chukotka in Arctic Russia. This is examined in relation to exposure pathways and a range of social and behavioral factors capable of modifying the exposure to these contaminants, including place of residence, income, traditional subsistence, alcohol consumption, and awareness of risk prevention. The primary exposure pathway for PCBs is shown to be the intake of traditional foods, which explained as much as 90% of the total health risk calculated employing established risk guidelines. Nearly 50% of past DDT-related health risks also appear to have been contributed by contaminated indoor surfaces involving commonly used DDT-containing insecticides. Individuals who practiced traditional activities are shown to have experienced a 4.4-fold higher risk of exposure to PCBs and a 1.3-fold higher risk for DDTs, Pb, and Hg. Low income, high consumption of marine mammal fat, alcohol consumption, and lack of awareness of health risk prevention are attributed to a further 2- to 6-fold increase in the risk of PCBs exposure. Low socioeconomic status enhances the health risks associated with exposure to the persistent contaminants examined.

Diertary Intake of Micronutrients in Non-Indigenous Womens in the Cities of Khanty-Mansiysk and Salekhard

“…[20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Фундаментальным фактором среды, который оказывает неизменное воздействие на состояние здоровья человека, является питание. При этом поступающие с пищей биологически активные соединения значимо влияют на физиологический и метаболический статус человека [4,15]. В последнее время установлена выраженная недостаточность поступления с пищевыми рационами витаминов, биологически активных веществ и жизненно важных химических элементов.…”

Monitoring of Air and Surface Water Pollution in the Ryazan Region

“…Очевидна некорректность использования одинаковых подходов и обобщенных показателей (без учета географических факторов и специфики загрязняющего вещества) для характеристики загрязнения воды и воздуха. Так, водоемы имеют способность к самоочищению (загрязнители выводятся из воды и, в том числе, накапливаются в донных осадках), а перенос загрязняющих веществ в воздухе ограничен, деконцентрирован и зависим от метеорологических факторов, особенностей антропогенного ландшафта [14,19]. В то же время некоторые токсичные вещества (например, ДДТ, диоксины, тяжелые металлы) могут передаваться по пищевым цепям и накапливаться, а часть этих веществ может переноситься на достаточно большие расстояния.…”

Development of Colorimetric Whole-Cell Biosensor for Detection of Heavy Metals in Environment for Public Health

“…This kind of contamination can affect food, like fish, crops, and water. In Russia, residents of Chukotka were exposed to persistent mercury contamination in foods [ 3 ]. Exposure to heavy metal-contaminated foods damages human health [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…In Russia, residents of Chukotka were exposed to persistent mercury contamination in foods [ 3 ]. Exposure to heavy metal-contaminated foods damages human health [ 3 , 4 ]. For example, cadmium and lead cause permanent damage to the central nervous system or death.…”