Arctic Caribou Contaminant Monitoring Program Report

Authors
Mary Gamberg
Jeremy Brammer
Resource Date:
2021
Page Length
6

This is a report that covers all of the results from a project to monitor contaminants in caribou. Some tests could not be done due to lack of lab capacity during the pandemic. The report concludes that: "Levels of most contaminants measured in caribou tissues are not of concern, although kidney mercury and cadmium concentrations may cause some concern for human health depending on the quantity of organs consumed. Caribou meat (muscle) does not accumulate high levels of contaminants and is a healthy food choice.

Concentrations of PFASs and PBDEs are low with respect to potential toxicity to caribou or those consuming caribou. Adults consuming Sanikiluaq reindeer are recommended to consume a maximum of seven whole livers each year due to PFOS levels in those livers."

Related herds: Porcupine, Beverly & Qaminirjuak, Barren-ground, Baffin Island

This resource and others can be found on the Northern Caribou Canada website. To find more related resources click here.