Emerging persistent chemicals in human biomonitoring for populations in the Arctic: A Canadian perspective
- DOI
- Language of the publication
- English
- Date
- 2019-11-20
- Type
- Article
- Author(s)
- Gibson, Jennifer C.
- Publisher
- Elsevier
Abstract
The future of human biomonitoring in the Arctic will be influenced by the presence of emerging persistent chemicals. Many modelling studies have attempted to predict which contaminants will be of concern next in the Arctic based on chemical and physical properties as well as known risk factors from existing Arctic contaminants of concern. An amalgamated list of emerging persistent chemicals identified through predictive modelling cross referenced with Arctic wildlife monitoring results provides a basis upon which to prioritize future human biomonitoring in the Arctic. Persistent chemicals identified by this analysis are those in common across models (i.e., HCCPD, PCTP, 1,3,5-triBB, 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene, hexaBDE, pentabromochlorocyclohexane) and those both identified by models and found in Artic biota (e.g., PFNA, PFUnDA, PFDA, PFTrDA, HCBD, HBCDD, PCA, PFDoDA, BTBPE, PCNB, Endosulfan, etc.). Tracking the appearance of new chemicals in environmental monitoring will allow human biomonitoring to keep pace with emerging issues.
Plain language summary
Health Canada is responsible for the assessment and management of potential health risks associated with exposure to chemicals in the environment. Health Canada also participates in the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP), which was created in 1991 in response to concerns about human exposure to elevated levels of contaminants in wildlife species that are important to the traditional diets of northern Indigenous people. Health Canada also participates in international working groups such as the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), which is mandated to monitor and assess long-range transboundary contaminants in the Arctic, document levels and trends, and produce sound science-based assessments to inform policy and decision-making processes. Both the NCP and AMAP have recently produced scientific assessment reports related to human health in the Arctic that have provided a scientific base of knowledge regarding human exposure to persistent organic pollutants and metals in the Arctic, and associated human health concerns. However, historical contaminants of concern are not the only ones to impact human health in the Arctic. International chemicals risk management bodies are moving forward with actions on new chemicals which are now being found in Arctic environments. This paper aims to present emerging contaminants of potential concern for human health, based on environmental monitoring and modelling work. These results will inform future possible directions for human biomonitoring and health effects studies in the Arctic.
Subject
- Health,
- Health and safety