Prenatal Exposure of the Northern Quebec Inuit Infants to Environmental Contaminants.

Through their marine-based diet, the Inuit of Nunavik (Quebec) are exposed to neurotoxic environmental contaminants that impact cognitive development. Mercury levels in Nunavik Inuit mothers and newborns were higher than in U.S. and Canadian populations but lower than in previous Arctic samples. Lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, chorinated pesticides, and possibly protective substances (selenium and N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) were also measured. (SV)