Assessment of cadmium intake from the consumption of traditional food in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories

• Main Author: Kim, Christine Ji-Hyun
• Other Authors: Chan, Laurie Hing Man (advisor)
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: McGill University 1995
• Subjects: Cadmium > Environmental aspects > Northwest Territories > Fort Resolution; Diet > Northwest Territories > Fort Resolution; Tinne Indians > Northwest Territories > Fort Resolution > Nutrition; Métis > Northwest Territories > Fort Resolution > Nutrition; Canada; Fort Resolution; Northwest Territories
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=23902

The aim of this study was to investigate the cadmium (Cd) exposure level from traditional food in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories. Cd concentration in the liver and kidney of caribou and moose exceeded the action level (1 $ mu$g/g) established by Agriculture Canada, but the frequencies of consumption of these foods were relatively low. Cd intakes from traditional food ranged from 0.01 to 1713 $ mu$g/day/person. Average Cd intakes from traditional food were estimated to be 10% and 6% of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI), 7 $ mu$g/kg body weight/person, for women and men, respectively. The major contributors to the total Cd intake on a population basis were moose liver for women, and flesh of moose and caribou for men. The average Cd inhaled from cigarette smoking was 21.1 $ pm$ 9.1 $ mu$g/day/person. Total Cd intakes from traditional food and smoking were estimated to be 24% and 20% of the PTWI for women and men, respectively. The total Cd intakes of smokers and nonsmokers were significantly different (p $<$ 0.001). The total Cd intake via market and traditional food, and cigarette smoking was 246.4 $ mu$g/week which was lower than the PTWI, 500 $ mu$g/week. Another objective of this study was to investigate an effect of food preparation on Cd speciation in food. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)