Updated Review on Pollution Communication in the Arctic

Jim Crocker
11th July, 2024

Updated Review on Pollution Communication in the Arctic

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study focused on risk communication efforts in European Arctic countries, particularly regarding mercury (Hg) exposure
  • Traditional foods in the Arctic, while nutritious, often contain high levels of mercury, posing health risks
  • Current dietary advice in Arctic countries mainly addresses mercury, with limited information on other contaminants
Arctic populations face significant exposure to long-range transported contaminants, primarily through their diet. Addressing this issue, the Inuit Circumpolar Council - Canada conducted a study to improve access to dietary advice and communication guidance on contaminants in the Arctic[1]. This study is part of the 2021 Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme's Assessment: Human Health in the Arctic. The research involved internet searches and direct contact with relevant experts. The study focused on risk communication efforts in European Arctic countries, evaluating the effectiveness of these efforts, and examining the use of social media in risk communication. The findings revealed that current risk communication activities emphasize the importance of a nutritious diet while addressing contaminant-related restrictions, primarily based on mercury (Hg). Mercury is a significant concern in the Arctic due to its global transport and local dietary habits. The 2021 AMAP Mercury Assessment highlighted that Hg exposure in the Arctic is driven by global influences, such as sources and transport pathways, biogeochemical processes, and climate change[2]. Indigenous populations, who rely heavily on traditional foods, are particularly vulnerable. These foods, while nutritionally beneficial, often contain elevated Hg levels. This creates a dilemma where the health benefits of traditional foods must be balanced against the risks of contaminant exposure[3]. The study by Inuit Circumpolar Council - Canada found that dietary advice in Arctic countries is often limited to Hg, with little information available on other contaminants. This is consistent with earlier findings that Hg levels in traditional foods, including fish and marine mammals, are a primary concern for Inuit in Canada's Arctic[4]. The cross-sectional survey conducted in Nunatsiavut, Nunavut, and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region indicated that while traditional foods are excellent sources of essential nutrients, the Hg intake often exceeds the Toxicological Reference Values (TRVs), posing a health risk[4]. One of the significant challenges identified in the study is the limited availability of effectiveness evaluation studies for risk communication initiatives. Previous research has shown that while some risk communication efforts appear successful, there is often a lack of direct evidence linking these efforts to behavioral changes that reduce contaminant exposure[3]. The study also explored the use of social media in risk communication. Social media offers advantages such as wide reach and real-time engagement, but it also presents challenges, including the potential for misinformation and the need for culturally appropriate messaging. The importance of culturally appropriate and balanced risk communication was underscored in the 2021 AMAP Mercury Assessment, which emphasized that communication must be done collaboratively and tailored to the specific needs of Indigenous communities[2]. In conclusion, the study by Inuit Circumpolar Council - Canada highlights the ongoing need for effective risk communication strategies in the Arctic. While current efforts focus on promoting a nutritious diet and addressing Hg exposure, there is a need for more comprehensive advice on other contaminants and better evaluation of communication effectiveness. The integration of social media in these efforts presents both opportunities and challenges that need to be carefully managed to ensure the health and well-being of Arctic populations.

EnvironmentSustainabilityEcology

References

Main Study

1) Updated review on contaminant communication experiences in the circumpolar Arctic.

Published 10th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2024.2371623

Related Studies

2) The impact of mercury contamination on human health in the Arctic: A state of the science review.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154793

3) An update on risk communication in the Arctic.

https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v75.33822

4) Dietary advice on Inuit traditional food use needs to balance benefits and risks of mercury, selenium, and n3 fatty acids.

https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.112.173351


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