Miller Pamela K, Waghiyi Viola, Welfinger-Smith Gretchen, Byrne Samuel Carter, Kava Jane, Gologergen Jesse, Eckstein Lorraine, Scrudato Ronald, Chiarenzelli Jeff, Carpenter David O, Seguinot-Medina Samarys
Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA.
Int J Circumpolar Health. 2013 Aug 5;72. doi: 10.3402/ijch.v72i0.21656. eCollection 2013.
This article synthesizes discussion of collaborative research results, interventions and policy engagement for St Lawrence Island (SLI), Alaska, during the years 2000-2012.
As part of on-going community-based participatory research (CBPR) studies on SLI, 5 discrete exposure-assessment projects were conducted: (a) a biomonitoring study of human blood serum; (b-d) 3 investigations of levels of contaminants in environmental media at an abandoned military site at Northeast Cape--using sediment cores and plants, semi-permeable membrane devices and blackfish, respectively; and (e) a study of traditional foods.
Blood serum in residents of SLI showed elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with higher levels among those exposed to the military site at Northeast Cape, an important traditional subsistence-use area. Environmental studies at the military site demonstrated that the site is a continuing source of PCBs to a major watershed, and that clean-up operations at the military site generated PCB-contaminated dust on plants in the region. Important traditional foods eaten by the people of SLI showed elevated concentrations of PCBs, which are primarily derived from the long-range transport of persistent pollutants that are transported by atmospheric and marine currents from more southerly latitudes to the north.
An important task for all CBPR projects is to conduct intervention strategies as needed in response to research results. Because of the findings of the CBPR projects on SLI, the CBPR team and the people of the Island are actively engaging in interventions to ensure cleanup of the formerly used military sites; reform chemicals policy on a national level; and eliminate persistent pollutants internationally. The goal is to make the Island and other northern/Arctic communities safe for themselves and future generations.
As part of the CBPR projects conducted from 2000 to 2012, a series of exposure assessments demonstrate that the leaders of SLI have reason to be concerned about the health of people due to the presence of carcinogenic chemicals as measured in biomonitoring and environmental samples and important traditional foods.
本文综合讨论了2000年至2012年期间阿拉斯加圣劳伦斯岛（SLI）的合作研究成果、干预措施及政策参与情况。
作为正在进行的基于社区的参与性研究（CBPR）的一部分，在圣劳伦斯岛开展了5个独立的暴露评估项目：（a）一项人体血清生物监测研究；（b - d）分别利用沉积物岩心和植物、半透膜装置以及黑鱼，对东北角一个废弃军事基地环境介质中的污染物水平进行了3项调查；（e）一项传统食物研究。
圣劳伦斯岛居民的血清中多氯联苯（PCBs）水平升高，在东北角军事基地附近居住的居民中水平更高，而东北角是一个重要的传统自给使用区域。对该军事基地的环境研究表明，该基地仍是一个主要流域多氯联苯的持续来源，且军事基地的清理作业在该地区的植物上产生了受多氯联苯污染的粉尘。圣劳伦斯岛居民食用的重要传统食物中多氯联苯浓度升高，这些多氯联苯主要来自持久性污染物的远距离传输，这些污染物通过大气和海流从更南的纬度向北传输。
所有CBPR项目的一项重要任务是根据研究结果按需开展干预策略。由于CBPR项目在圣劳伦斯岛的研究结果，CBPR团队和该岛居民正在积极参与干预措施，以确保清理以前使用过的军事基地；在国家层面改革化学品政策；并在国际上消除持久性污染物。目标是使该岛及其他北部/北极社区对其自身和子孙后代而言是安全的。
作为2000年至2012年开展的CBPR项目的一部分，一系列暴露评估表明，圣劳伦斯岛的领导人有理由因生物监测、环境样本及重要传统食物中检测出致癌化学物质而担忧居民的健康。
