Risk to northern Alaskan Inupiat: assessing potential effects of oil contamination on subsistence lifestyles, health, and nutrition.

Abstract

This report describes a project with the following objectives: to conduct chemical analyses to develop baseline data regarding concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine mammals consumed for subsistence by the Inupiat in northern Alaska ; to capture and record traditional knowledge (such as traditional biomarkers) regarding features such as odor, taste and appearance of tissues and organs that signal to subsistence hunters and field scientists that individual specimens are safe to consume or not; to archive specimen materials for further study; to assess the extent to which oil and gas development along the North Slope are likely in upcoming years; and to develop ties with Native leaders and other scientists to permit the results to be incorporated into a formal hazard assessment/risk assessment model and a multi-faceted public awareness and outreach program.