Grantee Research Project Results
2006 Progress Report: Reducing Risks of the Anishinaabe from Methylmercury
EPA Grant Number: R831047Title: Reducing Risks of the Anishinaabe from Methylmercury
Investigators: Foran, Jeffery
Current Investigators: Kmiecik, Neil , Foran, Jeffery
Institution: Michigan State University
Current Institution: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2006 (Extended to October 31, 2007)
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006
Project Amount: $445,830
RFA: Lifestyle and Cultural Practices of Tribal Populations and Risks from Toxic Substances in the Environment (2002) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Environmental Justice , Climate Change , Tribal Environmental Health Research , Human Health , Safer Chemicals
Objective:
The objective is to develop, implement, evaluate, and document a comprehensive, systematic, and culturally sensitive intervention program to reduce risks associated with subsistence-based consumption of walleye contaminated with methylmercury.
Progress Summary:
Accomplishments for Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) member Tribes in Wisconsin:
- Updated advisory maps with new data.
- Conducted second post-intervention survey of tribal fish harvesters.
- Conducted post-intervention survey of women of childbearing age and women with young children.
- Implemented an intervention program for elders through established elders meetings and for children through established Boys and Girls Club gatherings.
- Continued implementing the intervention program for women of childbearing age and women with young children through tribal health clinics.
- Continued implementing the intervention program for tribal fish harvesters and for the broader tribal population.
Accomplishments for the Mille Lacs and Fond du Lac Bands in Minnesota, and the Lac Vieux Desert Tribe in Michigan:
- Completed final versions of GIS-based fish consumption advisory maps for walleye waters in the 1837 Minnesota and select walleye waters in the 1842 Michigan ceded territories.
- Conducted pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys of tribal fish harvesters.
- Implemented intervention program for fish harvesters and for the broader tribal population.
Additional Accomplishments:
- Prepared draft manuscript on GLIFWC’s Fish Consumption Study for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
- Disseminated information about the program to other tribes.
- Explored conducting a probabilistic risk assessment in collaboration with the LifeLineTM group.
Future Activities:
- Analyze data from surveys and evaluate efficacy of interventions.
- Continue intervention programs for GLIFWC-member tribes.
- Transfer information to various tribes and tribal organizations within and outside the Great Lakes region.
- Prepare publications for the peer-reviewed literature on: (1) results of GLIFWC’s previous Fish Consumption Study; (2) methods used to create the updated GIS maps and fish consumption advice; (3) results of surveys to assess the efficacy of the intervention effort; and (4) results of a probabilistic risk assessment (if this assessment is undertaken).
- Present results of project at professional meetings.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 53 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Water, HUMAN HEALTH, Genetics, Exposure, Environmental Chemistry, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Physical Processes, genetic susceptability, Risk Assessment, Mercury, human consumption, health risks, GIS-based model, genetic predisposition, Anishinaabe, Human Health Risk Assessment, fish consumption, methylmercury, human exposure, cultural practices, culturally sensitive, native americans, dietary exposure, fish-borne toxicantsRelevant Websites:
http://www.glifwc.org Exit
http://www.glifwc.org/biology/inlandfish/mercury/mercury.htm Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.