Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Reducing Risks of the Anishinaabe from Methylmercury
EPA Grant Number: R831047Title: Reducing Risks of the Anishinaabe from Methylmercury
Investigators: Kmiecik, Neil , Foran, Jeffery
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 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 goal of this project was to develop, implement, evaluate, and document a comprehensive and culturally sensitive intervention program to reduce risks associated with subsistence-based consumption of walleye contaminated with methyl mercury. The aims of the project have not changed from the original application. This report summarizes work performed during the project and is intended as the final project report.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Reconfigure GLIFWC GIS-Based Walleye Consumption Advisory Maps
The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission’s (GLIFWC) GIS-based walleye consumption advisory maps were reconfigured to ensure that they were protective of human health, consistent with EPA’s approach to the management of methyl mercury in fish tissues; encouraged consumption by providing advice for selecting walleye that are safe to eat; and were sensitive to Anishinaabe culture and treaty reserved rights to harvest. Several potential methods for updating the maps were considered. Meal frequency advice categories and a standard walleye reference length were chosen to minimize potential impacts on tribal fish consumption and sizes of walleye harvested while still being protective of human health. Detailed discussions on the approach to advice development are in the publications by Madsen, et al. (2008) and DeWeese, et al. (2009).
The process of updating the maps was informed by GLIFWC’s 5-year Fish Consumption Study (FCS), analysis of Wisconsin spearing data, and analysis of GLIFWC’s mercury database. In addition, a series of focus groups composed of tribal members, designed and conducted by the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Milwaukee’s Center for Urban Initiatives and Research (CUIR) in conjunction with GLIFWC and project personnel, were held to inform the map reconfiguration process and to ensure that maps were understandable and easily accessible to tribal members. Dr. Barbara Knuth, Cornell University, provided expert advice on communicating risk and contributed to the language and layout of the maps.
Analysis of Fish Consumption Data and Patterns Among Tribal Members
Previous to the STAR grant, GLIFWC conducted a survey of fish consumption behavior among tribal members. Data collected from the FCS included meal size and frequency as a function of age, gender, and other characteristics. Analysis of the FCS data was conducted and used in revising the advisory maps (DeWeese, et al., 2009) and as part of a probabilistic risk assessment analysis (Foran, et al., 2009).
Sampling and Testing Walleye in Minnesota and Michigan Lakes
A total of 133 walleye from 12 Minnesota lakes and 114 walleye from 10 Michigan lakes were collected for mercury testing. Samples were sent to the Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI) at UW-Superior for analysis. Results were added to a database and used in producing GIS-maps for walleye in ceded territory lakes in these two states.
Collection of Pre-intervention (Baseline) Information
Information on tribal member’s knowledge and use of GLIFWC’s GIS-based maps and advice, and their knowledge and level of concern about risks associated with exposure to methyl mercury were required to determine whether and how the project’s comprehensive behavioral intervention program influenced tribal walleye harvest and consumption behaviors. Detailed information about pre- and post-intervention surveys is included in the publication by DeWeese, et al. (2009).
Pre-Intervention Survey of Tribal Fish HarvestersSurveys of tribal fish harvested from GLIFWC member tribes in Wisconsin, from theMille Lacs and Fond du Lac Bands in Minnesota, and the Lac Vieux Desert Tribe in Michigan were developed and administered under the direction of CUIR and GLIFWC project staff.Pre-Intervention Survey of Women of Childbearing Age and With ChildrenA pre-intervention survey of women of childbearing age and women with young children from GLIFWC member tribes in Wisconsin was developed by CUIR with input from GLIFWC project staff. A meeting was held with supervisors and staff of health programs run by the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) to explain the purpose of the STAR grant and the survey. Personnel agreed to ask health program staff on each reservation to provide the survey to women during office visits. Health programs involved included Honoring our Children (HOC); Women, Infants and Children (WIC); Family Nutrition; and Birth to 3. Women who volunteered to participate were asked to complete the survey at the program office or to fill it out at home and mail it to GLIFWC in a self-addressed, stamped envelope that was provided. Surveys were handed out to women during a 3-month period.
The Intervention Program
Details of the intervention program and its efficacy are included in the publication by DeWeese, et al. (2009).
Intervention Program for Tribal Fish Harvesters in WisconsinPrior to the 2005 and 2006 spring spearing seasons the following activities occurred. Revised GIS-advisory maps were distributed and made available to tribal fish harvesters at on-reservation locations where spearing and netting permits were issued. Large wall maps also were posted at these locations. When requested, presentations were made to tribal fish harvesters at pre-season meetings held on-reservation.Intervention Program for Tribal Fish Harvesters in Michigan and MinnesotaPrior to the 2006 spring harvest, an intervention program for tribal fish harvesters from the Mille Lacs and Fond du Lac Bands in Minnesota and the Lac Vieux Desert Tribe in Michigan was conducted following the same procedures used for fish harvesters from GLIFWC member tribes in Wisconsin.Intervention Program for WomenFollowing the pre-intervention survey in 2005, GIS-advisory maps were distributed to on-reservation health service providers for the six GLIFWC member tribes in Wisconsin. Providers were instructed on the use of the maps and asked to explain the maps and their use to women clients. In 2006, GIS-advisory maps were distributed again through this network in Wisconsin, but also at tribal health clinics at Mille Lacs, Fond du Lac, and Lac Vieux Desert. Furthermore, in April 2006, maps were mailed to women who participated in the pre-intervention survey and for which we had an address.
Intervention Program for the Broader Tribal PopulationIn addition to the wall maps posted at registration stations, wall maps were posted at several public locations on each of the six Wisconsin reservations plus the Mille Lacs, Fond du Lac, and Lac Vieux Desert reservations. Locations within a community included such places as the tribal administration building, grocery store, library, health clinic, natural resources department, elder’s center, or community center.Other outreach efforts included discussing the fish advisory maps with tribal members at the Lac Courte Oreilles Health Fair, and at the Lac du Flambeau Lakes Fest and subsequent radio interview. Articles on the grant and the updated maps were published in GLIFWC’s quarterly newspaper, Mazina’igan; maps also were posted on GLIWFC’s Web site.
An outreach effort targeted at elders from the six GLIFWC member tribes in Wisconsin occurred during winter 2006. Presentations were given at prearranged in-service meetings of the Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions programs on five of the six GLIFWC-member reservations in Wisconsin. A presentation also was made to elders from tribes in the Upper Great Lakes Region at the Great Lakes Native American Elders Association. Elders from many GLIFWC-member tribes as well as several non-member tribes were in attendance. An information booth also was staffed at a health fair in the Health and Wellness Center of the Forest County Potawatomi.
Intervention Program for ChildrenAn intervention program was conducted for children through established boys and girls clubs on the Lac Courte Oreilles and Bad River reservations. Maps were distributed to children at club gatherings and an interactive presentation was given, which sought to maximize individual participation in the learning experience. Children also were encouraged to bring the maps home and share what they learned with their families.
Post-Intervention Surveys
Post-intervention surveys were conducted for tribal harvesters from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan, and for women of child-bearing age from Wisconsin. Post-intervention surveys were not conducted for elders, children, or other tribal members. Survey results and analysis of project efficacy are included in the publication by DeWeese, et al. (2009).
Wisconsin Tribal HarvestersA post-intervention survey of tribal fish harvesters was conducted following the 2005 spring harvesting season. Following the 2006 spring season, a second and final post-intervention survey was conducted. Data from the three surveys were entered and proofed, results were tabulated, and statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate intervention efficacy.Wisconsin WomenAfter approximately 9 months of intervention, a post-intervention survey was conducted for Wisconsin women who had completed a pre-intervention survey and agreed to participate in a follow-up survey. Data were entered and proofed, and results were tabulated and analyzed to evaluate intervention efficacy.
Michigan and Minnesota HarvestersFollowing the intervention program for this group, a post-intervention survey was completed to assess the efficacy of the intervention. Results were tabulated and analyzed.
Probabilistic Risk Assessment
A probabilistic risk assessment provides a method to evaluate fish consumption, mercury exposure and, ultimately, human health risk. It also provides an approach to evaluate whether the GLIFWC advisory process is targeting appropriate, at-risk and high-risk individuals. During the fourth year of the project, a probabilistic risk analysis was conducted with LifeLine software. The results of the analysis are presented in the publication by Foran, et al. (2009).
Information Transfer
Information transfer occurred via two approaches: (1) publication of project methods and results in the peer-reviewed literature and other media, and (2) formal and informal presentations of project goals, objectives, methods, and results at gatherings of tribal members and professional meetings.
Conclusions:
Results of efficacy surveys showed significant increases in the percentage of survey participants who indicated awareness of advisory maps occurred among Wisconsin harvesters (increase from 60% to 77%), Michigan and Minnesota harvesters (29% to 51%), and women of childbearing age in Wisconsin (40% to 87%). A significant increase in preference for smaller Ogaa occurred among tribal harvesters in Wisconsin (41% to 72%) and tribal harvesters in Michigan and Minnesota (49% to 71%), although not among women of childbearing age. The GLIFWC map-based advisory program did not adversely affect tribal harvest of Ogaa, which increased from 63,000 to 88,000 fish in the three states after the intervention. We suggest that additional effort be focused on reaching women of child bearing age, on intervention for fish harvesters in Michigan and Minnesota, and on encouraging tribal members harvesting walleye from Minnesota to label bags with fish size. (More details on project results and efficacy are included in the publication by DeWeese, et al., 2009)
Journal Articles on this Report : 3 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 53 publications | 3 publications in selected types | All 3 journal articles |
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DeWeese AD, Kmiecik NE, Chiriboga ED, Foran JA. Efficacy of risk-based, culturally sensitive Ogaa (walleye) consumption advice for Anishinaabe tribal members in the Great Lakes Region. Risk Analysis 2009;29(5):729-742. |
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Foran JA, DeWeese AD, Hudson MJ, Kmiecik NE. Evaluation of mercury exposure reduction through a fish consumption advisory program for Anishinaabe tribal members in Northern Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2010;2010:802584. |
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Madsen ER, DeWeese AD, Kmiecik NE, Foran JA, Chiriboga ED. Methods to develop consumption advice for methylmercury-contaminated walleye harvested by Ojibwe tribes in the 1837 and 1842 ceded territories of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, USA. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 2008;4(1):118-124. |
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Supplemental Keywords:
risk management strategies, uncertainty reduction, models, U.S. EPA risk-based methodology, tribal health, developmental neurotoxin, Ojibwe, Chippewa, high fish consumption, environmental chemical contaminants, Great Lakes region, human health, culturally appropriate, high risk, environmental impacts, transferable, information development, information dissemination, hazardous substances, traditional foods, subsistence, treaty fish, human health, environmental management, water, scientific discipline, health, RFA, physical aspects, susceptibility/sensitive population/genetic susceptibility, risk assessment, risk assessments, genetic susceptability, health risk assessment, physical processes, mercury, environmental chemistry, exposure, genetics, fish-borne toxicants, culturally sensitive, GIS-based model, methylmercury, cultural practices, human health risk, native americans, dietary exposure, fish consumption, genetic predisposition, health risks, human exposure, Human Health Risk Assessment, human consumption, 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 toxicants
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.