Why the English–Wabigoon river system is still polluted by mercury 57 years after its contamination

Rudd, John W. M.; Kelly, Carol A.; Sellers, Patricia; Flett, R. J.; Townsend, B. E.

doi:10.1139/facets-2021-0093

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Legacy Hg refers to Hg that was emitted in the past, deposited to land and oceans, and is still actively cycling and contributing to Hg re-emission, release to water, or assimilation and methylation by microbes. Important legacy Hg pools are present at contaminated sites (Rudd et al 2021 ), in all global soils (Wang et al 2019a , b ), in coastal sediments (Reinfelder and Janssen 2019 ) and in the subsurface ocean (Amos et al 2013 ). The burden of legacy Hg in the terrestrial environment (Figs.…”

Section: Global Change and Mercury Cyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global change effects on biogeochemical mercury cycling

Sonke

Angot

Poulain

et al. 2023

Ambio

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Past and present anthropogenic mercury (Hg) release to ecosystems causes neurotoxicity and cardiovascular disease in humans with an estimated economic cost of $117 billion USD annually. Humans are primarily exposed to Hg via the consumption of contaminated freshwater and marine fish. The UNEP Minamata Convention on Hg aims to curb Hg release to the environment and is accompanied by global Hg monitoring efforts to track its success. The biogeochemical Hg cycle is a complex cascade of release, dispersal, transformation and bio-uptake processes that link Hg sources to Hg exposure. Global change interacts with the Hg cycle by impacting the physical, biogeochemical and ecological factors that control these processes. In this review we examine how global change such as biome shifts, deforestation, permafrost thaw or ocean stratification will alter Hg cycling and exposure. Based on past declines in Hg release and environmental levels, we expect that future policy impacts should be distinguishable from global change effects at the regional and global scales.

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Section: Global Change and Mercury Cyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global change effects on biogeochemical mercury cycling

Sonke

Angot

Poulain

et al. 2023

Ambio

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“…Levels stabilized around 1985 [19], but current levels remain high, possibly through ongoing erosion of high Hg particles by the river, as it meanders through contaminated floodplains [21]. Between 1970 and 1997, hair and blood samples were taken by governmental biomonitoring programs to assess Hg exposure of this First Nation community [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The evolution of symptoms of nervous system dysfunction in a First Nation community with a history of mercury exposure: a longitudinal study

Philibert,

Da Silva,

Fillion

et al. 2024

Environ Health

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Background Since the 1960’s, mercury (Hg) contamination of the aquatic environment of Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation) territories has impacted the community members’ traditions, culture, livelihood, diet and health. Despite decreasing Hg exposure over time, a recent study suggested that long-term exposure contributed to later-life symptom clusters of nervous system dysfunction. Here, the objective was to evaluate, 5 years later, the prevalence and progression of these symptoms and examine the contribution of long-term, past Hg exposure. Methods The symptom questionnaire, applied in the 2016/17 Grassy Narrows Community Health Assessment (GN-CHA) (Time 1), was re-administered in the 2021/22 Niibin study (Time 2). A total of 85 adults (median age: 47y; range: 29-75y) responded at both times. Paired statistics were used to test the differences (Time 2 – Time 1) in self-reported symptom frequencies. The symptom clustering algorithm, derived from the entire study group of the GN-CHA (n = 391), which had yielded 6 clusters, was applied at Time 1 and 2. Equivalent hair Hg measurements (HHg) between 1970 and 1997 were used in Longitudinal Mixed Effects Models (LMEM), with a sub-group with ≥ 10 repeated HHg mesurements (age > 40y), to examine its associations with symptom cluster scores and their progression. Results For most symptoms, paired analyses (Time 2 – Time 1) showed a significant increase in persons reporting “ very often” or “all the time”, and in the mean Likert scores for younger and older participants (< and ≥ 50y). The increase in cluster scores was not associated with age or sex, except for sensory impairment where a greater increase in symptom frequency was observed for younger persons. LMEM showed that, for the sub-group, long-term past Hg exposure was associated with most cluster scores at both times, and importantly, for all clusters, with their rate of increase over time (Time 2 – Time 1). Conclusions The persistence of reported symptoms and their increase in frequency over the short 5-year period underline the need for adequate health care services. Results of the sub-group of persons > 40y, whose HHg reflects exposure over the 28-year sampling period, suggest that there may be a progressive impact of Hg on nervous system dysfunction.

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“…1 Over time, fish Hg concentrations declined, stabilizing by around 1985, 10 , 11 but they have remained to this day higher than in other Ontario lakes and rivers. 12 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Contribution across Three Generations of Mercury Exposure to Attempted Suicide among Children and Youth in Grassy Narrows First Nation, Canada: An Intergenerational Analysis

Mergler

Philibert

Fillion

et al. 2023

Environ Health Perspect

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Background: For 60 y, the people of Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation) have endured the effects of massive mercury (Hg) contamination of their river system, central to their traditions, culture, livelihood, and diet. In the years following the Hg discharge into the English–Wabigoon River system by a chloralkali plant in the early 1970s, there was a dramatic increase in youth suicides. Several authors attributed this increase solely to social disruption caused by the disaster. Objective: This research examined the possible contribution of Hg exposure across three generations on attempted suicides among today’s children (5–11 y old) and youth (12–17 y old), using a matrilineal intergenerational paradigm. Methods: Information from the 2016–2017 Grassy Narrows Community Health Assessment (GN-CHA) survey was merged with Hg biomonitoring data from government surveillance programs (1970–1997). Data from 162 children/youth (5–17 years of age), whose mothers ( ) had provided information on themselves, their parents, and children, were retained for analyses. Direct and indirect indicators of Hg exposure included a ) grandfather had worked as a fishing guide, and b ) mother’s measured and estimated umbilical cord blood and childhood hair Hg and her fish consumption during pregnancy with this child. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine significant links from grandparents (G0) to mothers’ exposure and mental health (G1) and children/youth (G2) risk for attempted suicide. Results: Mothers’ (G1) median age was 33 y, 86.3% of grandmothers (G0) had lived in Grassy Narrows territory during their pregnancy, and 52.5% of grandfathers (G0) had worked as fishing guides. Sixty percent of children (G2) were years of age. Mothers reported that among teenagers (G2: 12–17 years of age), 41.2% of girls and 10.7% of boys had ever attempted suicide. The SEM suggested two pathways that significantly linked grandparents (G0) to children’s (G2) attempted suicides: a ) through mothers’ (G1) prenatal and childhood Hg exposure and psychological distress, and b ) through maternal fish consumption during pregnancy (G1/G2), which is an important contributor to children’s emotional state and behavior. Discussion: Despite minimal individual information on G0 and G1 past life experiences, the findings support the hypothesis that Hg exposure over three generations contributes to the mental health of today’s children and youth. The prevalence of Grassy Narrows youth ever having attempted suicide is three times that of other First Nations in Canada. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11301

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Why the English–Wabigoon river system is still polluted by mercury 57 years after its contamination

Cited by 7 publications

References 39 publications

Global change effects on biogeochemical mercury cycling

Global change effects on biogeochemical mercury cycling

The evolution of symptoms of nervous system dysfunction in a First Nation community with a history of mercury exposure: a longitudinal study

The Contribution across Three Generations of Mercury Exposure to Attempted Suicide among Children and Youth in Grassy Narrows First Nation, Canada: An Intergenerational Analysis

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