Mercury in the traditional diet of indigenous peoples in Canada

Traditional food of indigenous people in Canada, particularly fish and mari ne mammal meat, has mercury (Hg) concentrations exceeding the Canadian cons umption guideline level of 0.5 mu g/g. Health effects of Hg in traditional food are, therefore, a concern. We conducted contaminant exposure assessmen ts in 28 indigenous communities in Canada. Hg exposure was greatest among c ommunities with high use of marine mammals as food. Exposure among other co mmunities was variable. Recent adoption of a lower intake guideline for wom en of reproductive age and by Health Canada may decrease the use of traditi onal food, and could result in other health problems, such as increased ris k of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.