Bioaccumulate Toxics in Native American Shellfish Project, 2002-2006
Funded by the USEPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR)
grant #R-82946701
The hypothesis of the project was that Swinomish
people are exposed to low level, bioaccumulative toxics when
participating in subsistence gathering and consumption of local
shellfish. This project was unique in that it was a project that
was both initiated and managed by a tribe and thus successfully
represented the ability of Native American communities to conduct
technically and culturally competent research that recognizes and
upholds Native values.
Specific Aims
- Determine the types and concentrations of bioaccumulative toxics present in locally-harvested shellfish
- If health risks are identified, to effectively communicate those risks in a culturally appropriate manner
- If health risks are identified, to develop mitigation measures
- If health risks are identified, to confirm major health problems on the Reservation that may be related to eating contaminated shellfish, and develop hypotheses between the health problems and toxics found
Background
Several published reports indicate the presence of chemical
contamination in the Tribal tidelands and waters as well as in some
surrounding areas within the usual and accustomed (U/A) areas; all
of these areas contain sites at which Swinomish people frequently
gather shellfish. Chemicals tested for in this project are: Heavy
metals (arsenic, copper, cadmium, selenium, mercury, lead, nickel);
PCBs (poly-chlorinated biphenyls); PAHs (Polyaromatic
hydrocarbons); Dioxins/-furans; Chlorinated pesticides; and TBT
(Tributyltin).
Recent studies published by Puget Sound Tribes have found
consumption rates of up to 132.7 grams per day for shellfish alone.
In the past, the designated average consumption rate of 6.5 grams
per day for fish and shellfish for the average American
(approximately one fish meal per month) was used in health risk
analyses determining exposure to bioaccumulative toxics, completely
overlooking Native American subsistence harvesting and consumption
issues.
- Final Report Download PDF
- Technical Risk Assessmen Download PDF
- Project Evaluation Download PDF