Risk assessment of cadmium exposure in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories, Canada

The aim of this study is to investigate the cadmium (Cd) exposure level from traditional food in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories. We used 24-h dietary recalls and traditional food use frequency to obtain information on traditional food consumption, and analysed cadmium concentrations in traditional food. We also estimated total cadmium intake via market and traditional food, and cigarette smoking. Traditional food accounted for only 10% of the dietary energy. About 30 species of wildlife and plants were used. The most important foods in the community were moose, caribou, and whitefish. The range of cadmium concentrations measured was 0 to 1869 micrograms/g wet weight, with the lowest found in cranberry, and the highest in moose kidney. Cadmium concentrations in traditional food groups were comparable with those of Canadian market food. Highest levels of cadmium were found in the liver and kidney of caribou and moose. Cadmium intakes from traditional food estimated by dietary recall ranged from 0.01 to 1713 micrograms/g/day/person. Average cadmium intakes for women and men from traditional food were estimated to be 9% and 6% respectively, of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI, 400-500 micrograms) established by the World Health Organization. The average cadmium inhaled from cigarette smoking was 2.31 +/- 1.00 micrograms/day/person. There was no difference between the total cadmium intakes of smokers and nonsmokers. The total cadmium intake via market and traditional food and cigarette smoking was 136.6 micrograms/ week, which was lower than the PTWI. However, about 20% of the population may consume caribou and moose organ more frequently than the others. The potential health effects on this sub-population needs further clarification.