Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels in urine samples collected in a subarctic region of the Northwest Territories, Canada.
- DOI
- Language of the publication
- English
- Date
- 2020-01-07
- Type
- Article
- Author(s)
- Ratelle, Mylene
- Khoury, Cheryl
- Adlard, Bryan
- Laird, Brian
- Publisher
- Elsevier
Abstract
Traditional food consumption for Indigenous peoples is associated with improved nutrition and health but can also pose potential risks via exposure to contaminants. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compounds of interest due to their widespread presence (e.g., their metabolites are detected in up to 100% of the Canadian population) and their toxicological potential. To better understand the range of exposures faced by Indigenous populations in northern Canada and to address a contaminant of emerging concern identified by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, a multi-year biomonitoring study investigated levels of PAH exposure in subarctic First Nations communities of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Secondary data analysis of banked samples from a subset of the cross-sectional study was done. PAHs and cotinine markers in the urine samples (n = 97) of participants from two regions from the Mackenzie Valley (Dehcho and Sahtú) was completed by liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Also, participants completed a 24-hr recall food survey. When compared according to age/sex categories, the GM of several biomarkers (1-hydroxypyrene, 1-naphthol, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, 2-naphthol, 3-hydroxyfluorene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene, 4-hydroxyphenanthrene, 9-hydroxyfluorene, 9-hydroxyphenanthrene) appeared higher than observed for the general Canadian population. The PAHs levels observed were, however, below clinical levels associated with adverse health outcomes. Altogether, these elevated biomarkers are metabolites of pyrene, naphthalene, fluorene and phenanthrene. Statistically significant non-parametric associations were observed between several biomarkers and i) the consumption of cooked meat in the last 24 h; and, ii) smoking status (self-reported status and adjusted on urine cotinine level). This work is the first to report PAH levels in a northern Canadian population and provides local baseline data for monitoring the effects of changes to climate and lifestyle over time. These findings will support regional and territorial decision makers in identifying environmental health priorities.
Plain language summary
Health Canada is responsible for the assessment and management of potential health risks associated with exposure to chemicals in the environment. Traditional food consumption for Indigenous peoples is associated with improved nutrition and health but can also pose potential risks due to exposure to contaminants. To better understand potential exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among Indigenous populations in northern Canada, a multi-year biomonitoring study investigated levels of PAHs in First Nations communities of the Northwest Territories. Urine samples of study participants from two regions from the Mackenzie Valley (Dehcho and Sahtú) were analysed for PAHs and cotinine markers, and participants also completed a 24-hr recall food survey. When compared with the general Canadian population, geometric mean concentrations of some PAH biomarkers appeared to be higher among study participants, however these concentrations were below any clinical level where a health effect might be observed. Statistical analysis using non-parametric tests also indicated an association between some biomarkers and consumption of cooked meat in the last 24 hours and smoking status. This work is the first to report PAH concentrations in a northern Canadian population, which also provides local baseline data for monitoring changes over time in the future. These findings will support regional and territorial decision makers in identifying environmental health priorities, and provide valuable northern data for chemicals risk assessment and risk management activities.
Subject
- Health,
- Health and safety