DIOXIN-LIKE COMPOUNDS IN FISHING PEOPLE FROM THE LOWER NORTH SHORE OFTHE ST-LAWRENCE-RIVER, QUEBEC, CANADA

In this study, investigators assessed exposure to dioxin-like compound s in a fishing population that inhabits small coastal communities alon g the Lower North Shore of the St. Lawrence River, Quebec. This popula tion relies heavily on wildlife foods for sustenance. Investigators an alyzed chemically the most popular marine foods (i.e., fish, crustacea ns, sea mammals, and sea-bird eggs), and they also obtained 25 human p lasma samples from individuals in two villages along the river. The me an level of total polychlorinated biphenyls in this population was app roximately twice that found in the entire fishing cohort. Plasma level s of dioxin-like compounds, expressed as tetrachlorodibenzodioxin toxi c equivalents, were approximately eight times higher than levels in ur ban residents. Most of the increase in tetrachlorodibenzodioxin toxic equivalents in the selected fish eaters resulted primarily from an ele vation in polychlorinated biphenyls. Concentrations of dioxin-like com pounds from the Lower North Shore were low in fish and seals, but conc entrations were elevated in the eggs of sea birds. Given that there wa s also a significant statistical correlation in the entire population between human plasma levels and consumption of birds' eggs - and not o ther traditional foods - much of the increased human dose appeared to originate from this one food source. Because there appear to be increa sed, but uncertain, health risks from this elevated body burden, inves tigators advised the residents of the area to avoid consumption of wil d birds' eggs (i.e., a food source of minor nutritional importance).