Risk of Exposure to Environmental Contaminant on Algonquin Territory

Members of the Algonquin communities in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region had raised concerns about possible environmental contamination from mining activity in the territory. The goal of this study was to determine whether the Horne smelter added to contaminant levels in traditional game harvested by these communities.

The team chose hare as the game meat to study since it was widely eaten and available in the area. The research team collected samples of hare meat within a short distance of the Horne smelter and analysed it for heavy metal. The team held interviews with community members to find out how often they ate traditional foods. The interviews revealed the amount of hare consumed varied widely among individuals and other wildlife was also eaten.

The team decided risks were low for all contaminants in the communities, when average amounts of hare were eaten. For most Algonquins, there was no risk to eating hare in the region. However, if community members ate greater amounts of hare, the level of cadmium and mercury would be near the recommended limits. Other heavy metals were nearing the level of concern, as well, when combined with other sources of metals in residents’ diets or lifestyles (e.g., smoking). Given the wide difference in consumption rates of hare along with other factors, the team felt the guidelines for heavy metal intake could be exceeded by residents who were eating higher amounts of game. Heavy metals did not decline further from the Horne smelter.

The study concluded the Algonquin communities in the region should continue eating hare and other traditional game but should reduce the quantities to minimize the health risks from heavy metal. These communities should not consume hare from within 50 km of the smelter.