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Prenatal exposure of Canadian children to polychlorinated biphenyls and mercury

G Muckle1, E Dewailly, P Ayotte

  • 1Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval. gmuckle@cspq.qc.ca

Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne De Sante Publique
|July 9, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Newborns in certain Canadian Aboriginal communities, particularly Inuit and Montagnais, show high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury. These environmental contaminant exposures exceed critical thresholds, potentially impacting cognitive and neurological development.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Certain Canadian populations, particularly Aboriginal communities, face elevated risks from environmental contaminants due to dietary practices.
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury are persistent environmental contaminants of concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document and compare exposure levels of PCBs and mercury in newborns from various Canadian sub-groups.
  • To identify populations with contaminant levels exceeding established thresholds for adverse health effects.

Main Methods:

  • Umbilical cord blood samples were collected from newborns in Aboriginal communities, a coastal community, and the general Canadian population.
  • Concentrations of Aroclor 1260 (a PCB congener) and mercury were measured in the blood samples.

Main Results:

  • Highest Aroclor 1260 concentrations were found in newborns from Inuit communities (Nunavik and Baffin Island) and the Montagnais of Quebec.
  • Elevated mercury levels were observed in newborns from the Inuit of Nunavik and the Northwest Territories (NWT).
  • Specific sub-groups exhibited PCB and mercury concentrations above thresholds linked to potential cognitive and neurological impairments.

Conclusions:

  • Nutritional practices significantly influence exposure levels to environmental contaminants like PCBs and mercury in Canadian sub-groups.
  • Newborns in certain Inuit and Montagnais communities are exposed to PCBs and mercury at levels that pose a risk to development.

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