Dietary exposure of Maliseet First Nations in New Brunswick to chemical contaminants due to the consumption of traditional foods

In Atlantic Canada, there is strong evidence Indigenous Peoples may be consuming contaminants in traditionally hunted foods. In response to growing concerns, the Maliseet Nation Conservation Council (MNCC) decided to evaluate the dietary exposure to contaminants in the Maliseet communities of Tobique and Woodstock First Nations in New Brunswick. The MNCC wanted to expand their previous studies of metals to an analysis of pesticides and chlorinated industrial organic compounds. There were three major parts to the study: an analysis of moose and fish samples for environmental contaminants; a food and nutrition survey; and a public awareness meeting/training program.

The project team conducted a food nutrition survey with 20 people in each of the communities of Tobique and Woodstock First Nations. The interviewees spanned age groups and were both men and women. The team collected and tested the following samples: 25 moose; 25 small-mouth bass; 30 striped bass; and 30 brook trout. They tested the samples for agrochemicals (endosulfan I, endosulfan II, Endosulfan sulfate, glyphosate, and total PCBs), and heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, nickel, and cadmium). In addition, the team tested the water quality in the Wolastoq (Saint John) River from Perth Andover to the Mactaquac Dam, north of Fredericton. The team held a public awareness meeting in Fredericton on the outcomes of the study.

The analysis did not detect agrochemicals in the moose or fish samples. The team did detect arsenic, mercury, and cadmium in the moose and fish. The levels of heavy metal in most of the samples did not exceed Health Canada guidelines. However, some small-mouth bass, brook trout, and striped bass samples contained mercury and cadmium slightly higher than the guidelines. The dietary survey showed residents consumed less fish and moose than the estimated limits. Therefore, the team concluded traditional foods are generally safe to eat in the quantities reported by the community members. The study revealed the water quality parameters such as nutrients and bacteria estimated for the river were within the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment standards for the protection of aquatic life.

During the public awareness meeting, residents identified several traditional foods that should be tested for contaminants. The study team recommended a comprehensive survey to test frequently consumed traditional food not included in this study and traditional food consumed by the rest of the Maliseet communities in New Brunswick.