Persistent organic pollutants among seafood processing workers in West Greenland

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Health
• Arctic Toxicology

Background:

• Greenlandic population faces high exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) via marine food consumption.
• The fishing industry is vital to Greenland's economy and culture, employing a significant portion of the workforce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate POPs (PCBs, OCPs, PFASs) exposure among seafood processing workers on the Greenlandic west coast.
• To examine determinants of POPs exposure, including age, smoking, ethnicity, and workplace.
• To explore associations between POPs and respiratory health (asthma, allergy, lung function).

Main Methods:

• Study included 382 seafood processing workers (2016-2018), primarily Inuit (93%), from factories and trawlers.
• Data collected: clinical exams, questionnaires (ethnicity, occupation, health, smoking), serum selenium, and POP analysis.
• Statistical analyses: ANCOVA for group differences, multiple regression for associations with health outcomes.

Main Results:

• Seafood workers exhibited 2-6 times higher POP levels compared to the general Greenlandic population.
• Faroese workers had higher lipophilic POPs (PCBs, OCPs); Inuit workers had higher PFASs.
• PFASs were higher in workers at smaller factories; no differences in lipPOPs.
• PFASs showed a positive association with lung function, which became non-significant after selenium adjustment.
• No significant associations found between POPs and asthma or allergy prevalence.

Conclusions:

• Seafood processing workers in Greenland have significantly elevated POP exposure, varying by ethnicity and workplace.
• Diet and lifestyle likely contribute to exposure differences, but occupational sources cannot be ruled out.
• Findings emphasize the need for further research into POP sources and inform public health strategies for Arctic populations.