Communicating Pollutants That Threaten Tribal Identities: PFAS Contamination in Local Fish and Shellfish.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Indigenous Studies
• Toxicology

Background:

• Indigenous communities often rely on local fish and shellfish, leading to potential exposure to environmental contaminants.
• Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants found in various ecosystems.
• Public health advisories to reduce consumption can conflict with cultural practices and identity tied to traditional food sources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the connection between local fish/shellfish consumption and Tribal cultural identity.
• To understand how PFAS contamination may threaten this cultural identity.
• To explore effective risk communication strategies for Tribal communities regarding environmental contaminants.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative data collection through focus groups and interviews (n=25).
• Quantitative data collection via a community-wide survey (n=155).
• Study conducted among members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Main Results:

• Established the strong link between consuming local fish/shellfish and Mashpee Wampanoag cultural identity.
• Identified that PFAS contamination poses a threat to this cultural identity.
• Gathered insights into preferred communication methods for health risks within the community.

Conclusions:

• Public health communication regarding PFAS must be culturally sensitive to avoid undermining Indigenous identity.
• Effective risk communication requires community engagement and respect for cultural practices.
• Tailored strategies are needed to balance health protection with the cultural significance of traditional diets.