CONTAMINANTS

This is one of a number of articles we will feature on contaminant. With our greater usage and dependence upon the natural world, we need to be aware of substances that may impact the things we hold so dear.

Greater awareness of chemical path- ways and the effects on animals and humans allows us to reduce our exposure and make informed choices. It also allows us to advocate for stopping or reducing the production and usage of these chemicals that threaten our health.

Contaminant sources may be either localized or present always in the surrounding environment. Point or localized sources can include former dumping grounds, contaminated miliary sites or mining operations using harmful chemicals.

The polar regions are collection points for long-lived pollutants and radiation from around the world, via atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns.

Food-chains are the major routes of contaminant transfer from plant/animal communities to humans. Biomagnification is an increasing problem for some contaminants such as mercury or persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

AMAP's (Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program) recent work on contaminants and their pathways, was designed to provide a foundation for understanding contaminant risk in the Arctic. Establishment of this baseline data allows for further risk assessment, including the question of food stuff safety. To date, there is little comprehensive, statewide data of this nature available for Alaska. Although there is more data regarding contaminates in other Arctic nations, this information is useful because it provides a starting point, and highlights issues that may be of concern.

For more information regarding AMAP contact Ed Meyers at 1335 East- West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910, Ed.Myes@NOAA.gov or EdM@oar.noaa.gov .