Estimated dietary exposure to fluorinated compounds from traditional foods among Inuit in Nunavut, Canada

Increasing evidence shows that persistent organic pollutants such as perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are found in the Arctic ecosystem and their prevalence is causing human health concerns. The objective of this study was to estimate dietary exposure to PFCs among Inuit in northern Canada. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCA C7–C11) and fluorotelomer unsaturated carboxylic acids (6:2, 8:2 and 10:2 FTUCA) were measured in 68 traditional foods collected in Nunavut between 1997 and 1999. Total PFC concentrations were highest in caribou liver (mean ± standard deviation; 6.2 ± 5.5 ng g−1), ringed seal liver (minimum, maximum; 7.7, 10.2 ng g−1), polar bear meat (7.0 ng g−1), and beluga meat (minimum, maximum; 7.0, 5.8 ng g−1). Inuit food intake data from 24-h recalls conducted in Nunavut between 1997 and 1999 were used for the calculation of PFC exposure. Mean daily dietary exposure was calculated to range from 210 to 610 ng person−1 (0.6–8.5 ng kg body weight−1) for 754 individuals. Dietary exposure to PFCs was statistically significantly higher in men in the 41–60 year age group (p < 0.05) than younger men (<40 years old) and women from the same age group. Traditional foods contributed a higher percentage to PFC exposure than market foods in all age and gender groups. Caribou meat contributed 43–75% of daily PFC dietary exposure. Health risks associated with these estimated exposure levels are minimal based on current toxicological information available from animal feeding studies. However, it is important to monitor the concentrations of PFCs in key food items given that PFCA levels have been found to be increasing in the Canadian Arctic.