Title
Risk assessment of Shellfish Consumption in Coastal Communities in British Columbia
Fiscal Year
2005-2006
Community/Region
Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, British Columbia
Principal Investigator
Dr. Laurie Chan (University of Northern British Columbia)
Community Project Lead
Karen Feduik
Project Members
Robert Sam, Guudaniia La Boucan, Audrey Henry, Mia Parker and Klaus Schallie
Project Summary
Traditional food, in particular shellfish, is central to the lifestyle of many First Nation communities along the coast of British Columbia. Unfortunately, shellfish are subject to contamination from a variety of sources, an issue that has been highlighted by the First Nations communities of Penelakut First Nation and the Cowichan Tribes.
The goal of this project was to provide recommendations about the safe consumption of shellfish for the participating First Nation communities. In the first year of this project, a health survey was undertaken to establish baseline information on community shellfish consumption patterns. In addition, shellfish samples were collected and analysed for a variety of contaminants including organochlorines, cadmium, paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) and faecal coliform bacteria. In the second year, sampling continued, and educational materials were designed and distributed.
The results of this study showed that with the exception of oysters, cadmium concentrations in all of the shellfish sampled were generally low. In the case of oysters, the study recommended a general consumption limit of 4-5 oysters weekly or 200 oysters per year in order to reduce the risk of cadmium exposure. Organochlorine and paralytic shellfish poison levels were below the detection limit.