| Summary: | Chronic metal toxicity is a concern in the Canadian Arctic because of the findings of high metal levels in wildlife animals and the fact that traditional fd statutes a major component of the diet of indigenous peopIes. We ned exposure totrce metals though traditional fod resources for Inuit living in the community of Qikiqtajuaq on Baffin Island in the eastern Arctic. Mercury, cadmium, and lead were d ined i local food resources as normally prepared and eaten. Elevated concentrations of mercury (>50 pg/1lO g) were found in ringed seal liver, narwbal matnak beluga meat, and beluga mattak, and actively hig on a-tions of cadmium an lead (>.100.pg/100 g) were fiond in ringed seal liver, mussels, and kelp. Quantified dietary recalls taken seasonally reflected normal consumption patterns of these food resources by adu't men and women (>20 years old) and children (3-12 years old). Based on traditional food consumpt~ion, the average daily intake levels of total mercury for both adults (65 pg for women and 97 pg for men) and children (38 pg) were higher than the anadian avera value (16 pa). The average weeldy intake of mercury for all age groups exceeded the intae guides (5.0 pg/cg/day). established
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