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ABSTRACT. The authors conducted a survey during 1992 to evaluate blood levels of lead and mercury in Inuit adults of Nunavik (Arctic Québec, Canada). Blood samples obtained from 492 participants (209 males and 283 females; mean age = 35 yr) were analyzed for lead and total mercury; mean (geometric) concentrations were 0.42 μmol/l (range = 0.04–2.28 μmol/l) and 79.6 nmol/l (range = 4–560 nmol/l), respectively. Concentrations of omega-3 fatty acid in plasma phospholipids—a biomarker of marine food consumption—were correlated with mercury (r = .56, p < .001) and, to a lesser extent, with blood lead levels (r = .31, p < .001). Analyses of variance further revealed that smoking, age, and consumption of waterfowl were associated with lead concentrations (r² = .30, p < .001), whereas age and consumption of seal and beluga whale were related to total mercury levels (r² = .30, p < .001). A significant proportion of reproductive-age women had lead and mercury concentrations that exceeded those that have been reportedly associated with subtle neurodevelopmental deficits in other populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT. The authors evaluated lead exposure of Canadians (Montreal) who fished the nearby St. Lawrence River. From screening interviews conducted with 1,118 fishers on-site during the winter and fall of 1996, the authors selected 60 Montrealers who consumed at least one sportfish meal per week and 72 who consumed less than one sportfish meal per week. Fishers at the higher level of sportfish consumption had elevated blood lead concentrations, compared with fishers who ate little sportfish (geometric mean = 57.4 micro g/l vs. 48.2 micro g/l, respectively; p < .05). This result was surprising inasmuch as fish is not considered a significant source of lead. In addition to sportfish consumption, age, sex, occupation, smoking, and waterfowl consumption also showed independent associations with blood lead levels. Among frequent (i.e., 1 meal/wk) consumers of sportfish, ingestion of waterfowl was associated with higher blood lead levels (geometric mean = 69.4 micro g/l vs. 51.8 micro g/l, respectively; p < .05); this association was not present for infrequent consumers. In multivariate analysis, the association of higher blood lead levels with sportfish consumption could be accounted for in large part by waterfowl consumption among frequent consumers of sportfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the health risks involved in the exposure to mercury in French Guiana, which is used for gold extraction in that country. Evaluation of contamination among the general population; Number of subjects selected for testing; Observation of mean levels of mercury; What results of study indicates in relation to diet.

Examines the effects of low-level lead and arsenic exposure on copper smelter workers in Quebec, Quebec. Conduction of cross-sectional medical examination of copper smelter workers; Characteristics of lead and arsenic distribution; Relationship between symptoms and lead and arsenic absorption.