International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

The North place in geo planetary world. Urbanization traditions and problems

The high levels of persistent organic contaminants in the Russian Arctic have already caused serious concern of the health conditions of indigenous populations. The main objective of the study was to identify unaccounted local sources of banned persistent organic contaminants such as DDT, HCH, and PCBs and to elaborate a scientifically sound, economically feasible and ethically acceptable action plan for reduction of human exposure to POPs experienced by indigenous people in the Russian Arctic. The DDT and PCBs geometric mean concentrations and DDT/DDE ratio measured in maternal and cord blood were at levels which considered being ones of the highest ever reported for other arctic populations. There were also found significant community variations in the human exposure to persistent organic contaminants with differences up to 15 times between indigenous villages located in the same district. This phenomenon clearly pointed out that unaccounted local sources of current POP contamination do remain. The targeted inquiry carried out in 3 selected villages of Nenets Autonomous Okrug showed that officially reported data on the inventory of local pollution sources do not adequately reflect the actual human exposure to POPs. The results of the study allowed the identification of a number neglected POPs sources not accounted for, and assessment the health risk associated with those sources. The action plan for reduction of human exposure to POPs includes a number of measures to be undertaken in the arctic indigenous communities: Development and implementation of educational programmers for schoolchildren and young people raising their awareness of persistent contaminants and sustainable development and involve them in protecting and caring for their environment; Implementation of the UNEP Guidelines based strategy for searching, identification and inventory of local sources of the POP contamination; Elaboration and implementation of region-specific recommendations on improved system of waste management appropriate to harsh arctic circumstances (viz. to permafrost lands); safe methods/techniques of decontamination applicable to indigenous communities; public policy makers consulting; assistance to local environment practitioners and trainers to establish educational structures like education centers, etc. The work implies the large involvement of public, indigenous organisations as well as local authorities.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

© 1996-2005, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk
Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)