Research | Article Lead Sources in Human Diet in Greenland

• Main Authors: Peter Bjerregaard, Poul Johansen, Gert Mulvad, Henning Sloth Pedersen, Jens C. Hansen
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Greenland; inuit
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.276.5058

Although blood lead levels have declined in Greenland, they are still elevated despite the fact that lead levels in the Greenland environment are very low. Fragments of lead shot in game birds have been suggested as an important source of dietary exposure, and meals of sea birds, particularly eider, contain high concentrations of lead. In a cross-sectional population survey in Greenland in 1993–1994, blood lead adjusted for age and sex was found to be associated with the reported consumption of sea birds. Participants reporting less than weekly intake of sea birds had blood lead concentrations of approximately 75 µg/L, whereas those who reported eating sea birds several times a week had concentrations of approximately 110 µg/L, and those who reported daily intake had concentrations of 170 µg/L (p = 0.01). Blood lead was not associated with dietary exposure to other local or imported food items. Key words: diet, Greenland, Inuit, lead, lead shot, sea birds. Environ Health Perspect 112:1496–1498 (2004). doi:10.1289/ehp.7083 available via