PFAS and PBDEs in traditional subsistence foods from Sivuqaq, Alaska

Transcriptomic and developmental effects of persistent organic pollutants in sentinel fishes collected near an arctic formerly used defense site

Alaska contains over 600 formerly used defense (FUD) sites, many of which serve as point sources of pollution. These sites are often co-located with rural communities that depend upon traditional subsistence foods, especially lipid-rich animals that bioaccumulate and biomagnify persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Many POPs are carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting compounds that are associated with adverse health outcomes. Therefore, elevated exposure to POPs from point sources of pollution may contribute to disproportionate incidence of disease in arctic communities. We investigated PCB concentrations and the health implications of POP exposure in sentinel fishes collected near the Northeast Cape FUD site on Sivuqaq (St. Lawrence Island), Alaska. Sivuqaq residents are almost exclusively Yupik and rely on subsistence foods. At the request of the Sivuqaq community, we examined differential gene expression and developmental pathologies associated with exposure to POPs originating at the Northeast Cape FUD site. We found significantly higher levels of PCBs in Alaska blackfish (Dallia pectoralis) collected from contaminated sites downstream of the FUD site compared to fish collected from upstream reference sites. We compared transcriptomic profiles and histopathologies of these same blackfish. Blackfish from contaminated sites overexpressed genes involved in ribosomal and FoxO signaling pathways compared to blackfish from reference sites. Contaminated blackfish also had significantly fewer thyroid follicles and smaller pigmented macrophage aggregates. Conversely, we found that ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) from contaminated sites exhibited thyroid follicle hyperplasia. Despite our previous research reporting transcriptomic and endocrine differences in stickleback from contaminated vs. reference sites, we did not find significant differences in kidney or gonadal histomorphologies. Our results demonstrate that contaminants from the Northeast Cape FUD site are associated with altered gene expression and thyroid development in native fishes. These results are consistent with our prior work demonstrating disruption of the thyroid hormone axis in Sivuqaq residents.

Racism as a public health issue in environmental health disparities and environmental justice: working toward solutions

BACKGROUND

Environmental health research in the US has shown that racial and ethnic minorities and members of low-socioeconomic groups, are disproportionately burdened by harmful environmental exposures, in their homes, workplace, and neighborhood environments that impact their overall health and well-being. Systemic racism is a fundamental cause of these disproportionate exposures and associated health effects. To invigorate and inform current efforts on environmental justice and to raise awareness of environmental racism, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) hosted a workshop where community leaders, academic researchers, and NIEHS staff shared perspectives and discussed ways to inform future work to address health disparities.

OBJECTIVES

To share best practices learned and experienced in partnerships between academic researchers and communities that are addressing environmental racism across the US; and to outline critical needs and future actions for NIEHS, other federal agencies, and anyone who is interested in conducting or funding research that addresses environmental racism and advances health equity for all communities.

DISCUSSION

Through this workshop with community leaders and researchers funded by NIEHS, we learned that partnerships between academics and communities hold great promise for addressing environmental racism; however, there are still profound obstacles. To overcome these barriers, translation of research into plain language and health-protective interventions is needed. Structural changes are also needed in current funding mechanisms and training programs across federal agencies. We also learned the importance of leveraging advances in technology to develop creative solutions that can protect public health.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Mercury in Arctic Alaska Coastal Fish of Subsistence Importance

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and mercury (Hg) are harmful compounds that are widely present in the environment, partly due to spills and atmospheric pollution. The presence of PFAS and Hg in the tissues of animals that are harvested by rural and Indigenous Alaskans is of great concern, yet fish in Arctic Alaska have not previously been assessed for concentrations of PFAS. Fish species of subsistence and recreational importance were collected from nearshore Beaufort and Chukchi Sea, Alaska habitats and assessed for PFAS and total mercury concentrations [THg]. We found multiple PFAS compounds present at low levels (<3 μg/kg) in the muscle tissue of inconnu, broad whitefish, Dolly Varden char, Arctic flounder, saffron cod, humpback whitefish, and least cisco. In addition, [THg] levels in these fish were well below levels triggering local fish consumption guidelines (<170 μg/kg). These initial results indicate no evidence of the Alaska Arctic nearshore fish species examined as an avenue of PFAS or Hg exposure to people who harvest them. However, sources and trends of these contaminants in the Arctic require further investigation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2329-2335. © 2023 SETAC.

Assessing awareness and compliance with fish consumption advisories on the upper Hudson River: Implications for risk management of the Hudson River Superfund site

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a common environmental contaminant. The NYS Department of Health (DOH) issues fish consumption advisories to limit consumption of PCB-contaminated fish. Fish consumption advisories are utilized as institutional controls within the Hudson River Superfund site to limit exposure to PCBs. There is a "Do Not Eat" advisory for all species caught in the upper Hudson River, from Glens Falls, NY to Troy, NY. The section of the river below Bakers Falls also has a catch-and-release regulation issued by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. There is limited research on the effectiveness of these advisories in preventing consumption of contaminated fish in the context of Superfund site risk management. We surveyed individuals actively fishing on the upper Hudson River in the area with a "Do Not Eat" advisory, specifically between Hudson Falls and the Federal Dam in Troy, NY. The goal of the survey was to assess knowledge of the consumption guidelines, and if the guidelines are effectively preventing exposure to PCBs. A subset of individuals continue to consume fish caught from the upper Hudson River Superfund site. Awareness of advisories was inversely related to fish consumption from the Superfund site. Age, race, and possession of a fishing license were associated with overall awareness of fish consumption guidelines; age and possession of a license were associated with awareness of the "Do Not Eat" advisory. While institutional controls appear to have a beneficial impact, there is incomplete awareness and compliance with advisories and regulations aimed at preventing exposure to PCBs from fish consumption. Risk assessment and management strategies for contaminated fisheries should consider imperfect adherence to fish consumption guidelines.