Food from the Ocean Potential risks to human health

 The consumption of fish in remote fishing populations has highlighted the potential exposure to harmful natural and anthropogenic contaminates thought to be present in sea food.  These toxicants (which have previously included methyl mercury) are a potential threat to the fishing communities that depend on seafood. The Issue

 Current studies have revealed the highest related health effects have been found in children that reside in remote fishing communities of the Arctic (Faeroe Islands, Canadian Artic, Greenland).  These Inuit populations are thought to have been exposed to these contaminants in their natural diets and thus exposing their infants through transplacental and transmission of breast milk. Who is affected?

 The risks to the Inuit people is through their diets which comprise of huge amounts of animal tissues from marine mammals, fish and terrestrial wild game.  This makes them more vulnerable to food chain contaminants than most human populations. Threat to the Inuit Community

 These contaminants are a new generation of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) of synthetic chemicals which enter the oceans through man-made waste.  Brominated Flame Retardants such as Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBDEs) and Perfluorinated Alkaline (PFA) are added in the components of electronic equipment, plastics and textiles. The new emerging contaminants: POPs and others….

 POPs (and others) first occurred in freshwater and marine organisms and have now been found linked to the Arctic food chain.  Concerns associated with the levels of these substances are increasing due to their high lipophilicity and resistance to biodegradation.  POPs have prolonged their bioconcentration and storage inside the fatty tissues of animals. The impact

Biological markers have indicated:  Altered immune and nervous system function  Oxidative Stress  Increase in chronic disease Most research has focused on maternal and cord blood analysis due to the susceptibility of the foetus. Illness and Disease

 There is an immediate the need to monitor these populations  Warnings should be provided for marine environments  More data is required to understand the impact of contaminants in the marine environment and the appropriate actions necessary to avoid potential hazards to coastal populations exposed to risk through their dietary habits  Ref: Dewailly and Knap (2006) Oceanography Vol.19,No 2,June 2006 Summary