Serum composition of PFAAs congeners in Nunavik pregnant women from the NQN study in 2016–2017 compared to women from the Canadian general population who participated in the Canadian Health Measure ...Survey (CHMS) cycle 5.
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•In pregnant women from Nunavik, exposure to long-chain PFAAs is increasing.•Nunavimmiut women exposure to PFOS, PFNA, PFDA and PFuDA was higher than in the Canadian general population.•The results suggest that 8:2 FTOH contributes to the exposure profile in the Arctic.•Marine country food consumption is associated with higher exposure to PFAAs.
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminants that potentially disrupt endocrine system functions. While some PFAAs (perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)) are regulated, currently used fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) can be transported to the Arctic and are degraded in a number of PFAAs which biomagnify in Arctic wildlife (e.g. perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA)).
From 2004 to 2017, 279 pregnant Inuit women were recruited as part of biomonitoring projects in Nunavik. Our goal was to evaluate: (i) time-trends in plasma/serum PFAAs levels in pregnant Nunavimmiut women between 2004 and 2017; (ii) compare plasma/serum PFAAs levels in Nunavimmiut women in 2016–2017 to those measured in women of childbearing age in the Canadian Health Measure Survey (CHMS); and (iii) evaluate the associations of PFAAs levels with the consumption of country foods and pregnancy and maternal characteristics during pregnancy in the 97 participants recruited in 2016–2017.
Individual blood sample were collected for serum or plasma PFAAs (PFOS, PFOA, pentafluorobenzoic acid (PFBA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid (PFHxS), PFNA, PFDA, PFUdA) analyses. Socio-demographic data, pregnancy and maternal characteristics and country foods consumption were documented using a questionnaire. Omega-3 and −6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were measured in red blood cell membranes and their ratio used as a biomarker of marine country foods consumption. Time-trends in PFAAs levels were evaluated using ANCOVA models adjusted for relevant co-variables. Serum/plasma levels of PFAAs in the 97 pregnant women aged 16 to 40 years old and recruited in 2016–2017 were compared to those measured in women aged 18 to 40 years old from the CHMS cycle 5 (2016–2017) using the geometric means (GM) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine associations between concentrations of PFAAs and country foods consumption data.
Statistically-significant downward time trends were noted for concentrations of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS in pregnant Nunavik women between 2004 and 2017. Conversely, between 2011 and 2016–2017, PFNA, PFDA and PFUdA maternal serum levels increased by 19, 13 and 21% respectively. Among participants in 2016–2017, mean concentrations for PFNA (GM: 2.4 μg/L), PFDA (0.53 μg/L) and PFUdA (0.61 μg/L) were higher than those measured in women aged 18–40 years old in the Cycle 5 (2016–2017) of the CHMS. PFOA (0.53 μg/L) and PFHxS (0.26 μg/L) were lower than in CHMS, whereas PFBA, PFHxA and PFBS were not detected in 2016–2017. Ratios of serum/plasma levels of PFNA/PFOA, PFNA/PFOS, PFNA/PFHxS and PFUdA/PFDA were significantly higher in the 97 pregnant women from Nunavik recruited in 2016–2017 compared to CHMS, highlighting their distinct exposure profile. In multivariate models, PFHxS, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA and PFUdA levels in 2016–2017 were strongly associated with the omega-3/omega-6 PUFA ratio, indicating a positive association between marine country foods consumption and higher exposure to PFAAs.
The exposure of pregnant women to long-chain PFAAs (PFNA, PFDA and PFUdA) increased from 2004 to 2017 in Nunavik. Associations noted between PFAAs levels and the omega-3/omega-6 ratio highlights the importance of implementing additional strict regulations on PFAAs and their precursors to protect the high nutritional quality and cultural importance of country foods in Nunavik.
Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic protozoan parasite, infects mammals and birds worldwide. Infection in humans is often asymptomatic, though illnesses can occur in immunocompromised hosts and the fetuses ...of susceptible women infected during pregnancy. In Nunavik, Canada, 60% of the Inuit population has measurable antibodies against T. gondii. Handling and consumption of wildlife have been identified as risk factors for exposure. Serological evidence of exposure has been reported for wildlife in Nunavik; however, T. gondii has not been detected in wildlife tissues commonly consumed by Inuit.
We used a magnetic capture DNA extraction and real-time PCR protocol to extract and amplify T. gondii DNA from large quantities of tissues (up to 100 g) of 441 individual animals in Nunavik: 166 ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus), 156 geese (Branta canadensis and Chen caerulescens), 61 ringed seals (Pusa hispida), 31 caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and 27 walruses (Odobenus rosmarus).
DNA from T. gondii was detected in 9% (95% CI: 3-15%) of geese from four communities in western and southern Nunavik, but DNA was not detected in other wildlife species including 20% (95% CI: 12-31%) of ringed seals and 26% (95% CI: 14-43%) of caribou positive on a commercial modified agglutination test (MAT) using thawed heart muscle juice. In geese, tissue parasite burden was highest in heart, followed by brain, breast muscle, liver and gizzard. Serological results did not correlate well with tissue infection status for any wildlife species.
To our knowledge, this is the first report on the detection, quantification, and characterization of DNA of T. gondii (clonal lineage II in one goose) from wildlife harvested for food in Nunavik, which supports the hypothesis that migratory geese can carry T. gondii into Nunavik where feline definitive hosts are rare. This study suggests that direct detection methods may be useful for detection of T. gondii in wildlife harvested for human consumption and provides data needed for a quantitative exposure assessment that will determine the risk of T. gondii exposure for Inuit who harvest and consume geese in Nunavik.
There are numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that Inuit may be exposed to from combustion, cooking, heating, vehicle exhaust, active and passive ...smoking and other local sources of contaminants such as oil spills or open-air burning in landfills. To better assess the levels of exposure to these non-persistent chemicals, we measured a suite of benzene, toluene (two VOCs) and PAHs metabolites in pooled urine samples from youth and adults aged 16 years old and over who participated in the Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 Inuit Health Survey (Q2017), a population health survey conducted in Nunavik. A cost-effective pooling strategy was established and 30 different pools from individual urine samples (n = 1266) were created by grouping individual urine samples by sex, age groups and regions. To assess smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke, cotinine levels were measured in individual urine samples. We found that benzene, toluene, all detected PAHs metabolites and cotinine levels were significantly higher in Q2017 compared to adults in the Canadian Health Measure Survey Cycle 4 (2014–2015) or the general U.S population (2015–2016). Moreover, mean levels of one benzene metabolite, S-phenylmercapturic acid, and several PAHs metabolites, 1-naphthol, 2-and 3-hydroxyfluorene, and 4- and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene, known to be associated with smoking habits, were higher in Q2017 compared to reference values (RV95) established for non-smokers in the general Canadian population. Furthermore, benzene and PAHs metabolites were all correlated with cotinine levels. Our results suggest that the high smoking prevalence in Nunavik is an important contributor to the elevated benzene and PAHs exposure. Other local sources may add to that exposure, although we were not able to account for their contribution. These data highlight the importance of regional and community efforts for reducing smoking and to encourage smoke-free homes in Nunavik, while continuing to investigate and reduce other possible local sources of exposure to benzene, toluene and PAHs.
•Benzene, toluene and PAHs metabolites were measured in pooled urine samples of Nunavik Inuit adults.•All metabolites detected were higher in Nunavik compared to the Canadian or U.S. general population.•Benzene and PAHs metabolites were all correlated with cotinine levels.•High smoking prevalence in Nunavik contributes to benzene and PAHs exposure.•Other local sources add to that exposure and should be investigated and mitigated.
Persistent organic pollutant exposures are well-documented in the Arctic, but fewer studies examined non-persistent chemicals, despite increased market food and consumer product consumption.
To ...measure phenol, paraben, phthalate, and alternative plasticizer concentrations in Inuit adults.
The study included 30 pooled urine samples from Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 Nunavik Inuit Health Survey (Q2017) participants. Creatinine-adjusted geometric mean concentrations (GM) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were compared across sex, age, and regions, and compared to those in the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) and the First Nations Biomonitoring Initiative (FNBI).
Q2017 bisphenol-A concentrations were double the CHMS 2018-2019 concentrations GM (95% CI): 1.98 (1.69-2.31) versus 0.71 (0.60-0.84) µg/g creatinine, but in line with FNBI 1.74 (1.41-2.13) µg/g creatinine. Several phthalate concentrations were higher in Q2017 versus CHMS, particularly monobenzyl phthalate, which was was 19-fold higher in Q2017 versus CHMS 2018-2019 45.26 (39.35-52.06) versus 2.4 (2.0-2.9) µg/g creatinine and four-fold higher than FNBI. There were also four-fold higher concentrations of the two alternate plasticizer 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TIXB) metabolites in Q2017 compared to CHMS 2018-2019. Women and people living in Ungava Bay had generally higher concentrations of non-persistent chemicals.
The results suggest higher concentrations of certain non-persistent chemicals in Inuit versus the general Canadian population.
Few studies have explored non-persistent chemical distributions in Northern communities, despite the increasing consumer product and market food consumption. We analyzed 30 pooled samples from the Qanuilirpitaa? Nunavik Inuit Health Survey 2017 to assess exposures to common plasticizes and plastic constituents and compare their levels with the general Canadian population and First Nation groups. We observed particularly higher levels of bisphenol-A, of monobenzyl phthalate, and of two 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TXIB) metabolites among Nunavimmiut compared to the general Canadian population, notably among women and Ungava Bay residents. Larger studies are required to confirm our findings and identify potential adverse health effects from these exposures.
Among populations living in close connection with the sea, rivers and lakes for subsistence, diet varies according to local monthly wildlife species availability and food preferences. This may lead ...to variations in methylmercury (MeHg) exposure over a year, although no biomonitoring studies have documented this issue in Circumpolar populations, the most exposed to international Hg emissions. Our aim was to characterize seasonal variations in MeHg exposure among pregnant Inuit women from Nunavik and to identify country foods responsible for these variations.
Between October 2016 and March 2017, 97 participants were recruited. Blood mercury (Hg) was tested and hair Hg was measured by centimeter as a surrogate for monthly MeHg exposure over the past year. Latent class growth analysis was conducted to identify groups of pregnant women with similar hair Hg monthly trajectories. Country foods consumption was documented by season. Seasonal daily intakes of MeHg were estimated based on concentrations in country foods.
Retrospective monthly hair Hg analyses revealed that MeHg exposure was lowest in winter, and highest in summer and early fall months. Three latent classes (groups) of pregnant women with similar trajectories of monthly hair Hg variations were identified: high (n = 20, 21%), moderate (n = 38, 41%) and low variation (n = 35, 38%). Beluga meat was the country food contributing to most of daily MeHg intake, primarily during summer and fall, and was the only one associated with the odds of being classified into moderate and high variation groups (OR 95% CI: 1.19 1.01–1.39 and 1.25 1.04–1.50).
These findings underscore the importance of monthly variations in exposure to MeHg due to the seasonality of local foods consumed and responsible for elevated MeHg exposure. Further studies critically need to understand local diet fluctuations over a year to adequately assess MeHg exposure, adopt timely preventive interventions and evaluate the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention.
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•Elevated MeHg exposure remains a concern for pregnant women in Nunavik.•Levels of Hg in hair were lower in winter and higher in summer/fall.•Three different trajectories of monthly hair Hg variations were identified.•Beluga meat was the primary source of MeHg exposure, particularly in summer.•Only beluga meat consumption was associated with changing annual hair Hg trajectories.
An expected consequence of climate warming is an expansion of the geographical distribution of biting insects and associated arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Emerging and re-emerging ...arboviruses that can affect human and animal health are likely to pose significant consequences for Northern communities where access to health resources is limited. In the North American Arctic, little is known about arboviruses. Thus, in 2019, we sampled biting insects in Nunavik, Northern Québec (Kuujjuaq), Nunavut (Igloolik, Karrak Lake and Cambridge Bay), Northwest Territories (Igloolik and Yellowknife) and Alaska (Fairbanks). The main objective was to detect the presence of California serogroup (CSG) viruses– a widespread group of arboviruses across North America and that are known to cause a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild febrile illness to fatal encephalitis. Biting insects were captured twice daily for a 7-day period in mid-summer, using a standardised protocol consisting of 100 figure-eight movements of a sweep net. Captured specimens were separated by genus (mosquitoes) or by superfamily (other insects) and then grouped into pools of 75 by geographical locations. In total, 5079
Aedes
mosquitoes and 1014 Simulioidae flies were caught. We report the detection of CSG viruses RNA in mosquitoes captured in Nunavut (Karrak Lake) and Nunavik (Kuujjuaq). We also report, for the first time in North America, the presence of CSG viruses RNA in Simulioidae flies. These results highlight the use of biting insects for tracking any future emergence of arboviruses in the North, thereby providing key information for public health in Northern communities.
Development of northern agriculture is seen as an innovative solution to the great challenges of food security in the villages of Nunavik and Nunavut. Establishing a community greenhouse can improve ...the health and well-being of Inuit communities by sustainably increasing the supply of fresh local produce and by improving food quality while not ignoring the cultural dimension of food security. This article describes community greenhouse projects in Kuujjuaq (Nunavik) and Iqaluit (Nunavut), and a current study on the feasibility of a community greenhouse project in Kangiqsujuaq (Nunavik). We first present our methodology which follows the principles of community-based participatory research. We then turn to the main avenues of our research: the contribution of a greenhouse project to food security and sovereignty and the technical and organizational challenges of optimizing a greenhouse in a northern setting. Through this interdisciplinary project, it is possible to work with the community to build a local and sustainable food supply system and learn how a horticultural project can improve the quality of life and health of its inhabitants.
Development of northern agriculture is seen as an innovative solution to the great challenges of food security in the villages of Nunavik and Nunavut. Establishing a community greenhouse can improve ...the health and well-being of Inuit communities by sustainably increasing the supply of fresh local produce and by improving food quality while not ignoring the cultural dimension of food security. This article describes community greenhouse projects in Kuujjuaq (Nunavik) and Iqaluit (Nunavut), and a current study on the feasibility of a community greenhouse project in Kangiqsujuaq (Nunavik). We first present our methodology which follows the principles of community-based participatory research. We then turn to the main avenues of our research: the contribution of a greenhouse project to food security and sovereignty and the technical and organizational challenges of optimizing a greenhouse in a northern setting. Through this interdisciplinary project, it is possible to work with the community to build a local and sustainable food supply system and learn how a horticultural project can improve the quality of life and health of its inhabitants.
Development of northern agriculture is seen as an innovative solution to the great challenges of food security in the villages of Nunavik and Nunavut. Establishing a community greenhouse can improve ...the health and well-being of Inuit communities by sustainably increasing the supply of fresh local produce and by improving food quality while not ignoring the cultural dimension of food security. This article describes community greenhouse projects in Kuujjuaq (Nunavik) and Iqaluit (Nunavut), and a current study on the feasibility of a community greenhouse project in Kangiqsujuaq (Nunavik). We first present our methodology which follows the principles of community-based participatory research. We then turn to the main avenues of our research: the contribution of a greenhouse project to food security and sovereignty and the technical and organizational challenges of optimizing a greenhouse in a northern setting. Through this interdisciplinary project, it is possible to work with the community to build a local and sustainable food supply system and learn how a horticultural project can improve the quality of life and health of its inhabitants.
Face aux grands défis de la sécurité alimentaire dans les villages du Nunavik et du Nunavut, le développement d’une agriculture nordique est envisagé comme une solution innovante. Visant la santé et ...le bien-être des communautés inuit, l’implantation d’une serre communautaire permet d’accroître l’offre en produits frais locaux et d’améliorer la qualité de l’alimentation, dans une démarche durable tenant compte de la dimension culturelle de la sécurité alimentaire. Cet article décrit les projets de serres communautaires de Kuujjuaq (Nunavik) et d’Iqaluit (Nunavut), ainsi que l’actuelle étude de faisabilité d’un projet de serre communautaire à Kangiqsujuaq (Nunavik). Nous présentons d’abord notre méthodologie qui repose sur les principes de la recherche participative basée dans la communauté. Nous nous penchons ensuite sur les principaux axes du projet de recherche : la contribution d’un projet de serre à la sécurité et à la souveraineté alimentaires et les défis techniques et organisationnels à relever pour l’optimisation d’une serre en contexte nordique. La démarche employée dans ce projet interdisciplinaire permet de construire, avec la communauté, un système d’approvisionnement local et durable et de comprendre la contribution d’un projet horticole à l’amélioration de la qualité de vie et de la santé des habitants.
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