Arctic contamination seen in mutated polar bears and hazardous breast milk
Teresa Combs
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Call to Action
Ask an Outsider what their image of the Arctic is, and they would probably give you a response that incorporates the words "pristine," "pure" or "untainted." Perhaps it would come to a surprise to many of us that decades-long studies have shown that the Arctic is one of the most polluted places in the world.
Embarking on a journey that took her across the world to witness the Arctic way of life, author Marla Cone gives an intimate look into the Arctic communities, from Alaska to Greenland, and how their livelihoods are being severely jeopardized. Her book, "Silent Snow: The Slow Poisoning of the Arctic," is a comprehensive and ominous resource analyzing the damage to the Arctic and how it affects the rest of planet.
In a process Cone calls "hitchhiking," environmental contaminants traverse the world via wind patterns that circle through the Arctic region. She specifically cited polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs - organic compounds that had been used in products like coolants, paints and flame retardants that were banned in the 1970s because of their extreme toxicity. Regardless, PCBs are still highly prevalent in the environment, and there are many more toxins that have taken its place.
Many of these pollutants that pass through the area end up trapped in ice, food and even people. According to the book, people become carriers when they consume the meat and blubber of infected animals, most importantly the culturally significant whale. An important aspect of their lifestyle is being threatened: If people stop eating it, they will lose a tremendous source of protein, vitamins and heritage, but the more they consume it, the more likely they are to harbor these pollutants that get passed down to their children. People are being exposed to the horrific ramifications of living in industrialized society, without ever having experienced it firsthand.
Tests led by Dr. David Kinloch of Canada's Health and Welfare prove the extent of contamination in Arctic people. Children have been affected from their mothers' breast milk, some of which has been so highly tainted by PCBs that the milk can be considered hazardous waste. Mothers' exposure to high concentrations of PCBs has manifested in children with birth defects, such as lower mental capacities and birth weights.
The contamination exists in every part of Arctic life. The effect on animals has become prevalent, as more polar bears that have been tagged for studies are found to possess mutated genitalia. Hormone levels are disrupted, reproduction is threatened and immune systems are suppressed. As more animals die or are unable to reproduce, their predators will seek out other means of food, which in turn will threaten another animal's supply, and will completely disrupt the normal life cycle of the Arctic. Coupled with warming temperatures, melting sea ice and scarcer food supplies, the situation is becoming disastrous.
What can be done - if anything? It is impossible to rid every organism, animal and human of PCBs. If the pollution could be stopped at this very instant, it could be hundreds of years before the Arctic could recover. For now, an attempt can be made to reduce the pollution, and the responsibility has to lie with those who are thousands of miles away and are causing the problem. Measures need to be taken to reduce the carelessness when it comes to chemical production and waste management to prevent the introduction of more harmful pollutants.
In 2004, 59 countries signed and approved the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants treaty to act upon their toxic waste problem, yet the United States - a top world polluter along with China - and Russia have yet to ratify. How can some of the world's most powerful nations, who have the technology and money to reduce their output of some of the most toxic pollutants, not do anything about it?
President Bush and Congress have yet to fulfill any vague pledges made to the treaty. Though the Environmental Protection Agency administrator in 2004, Christine Whitman, promised Bush's support for the Stockholm Convention, nothing has come of it. For a country that's so willing to pump the oil under Alaska's soil, that likes to eat its crab and buy its fireweed jelly in tourist season, little care is taken to what matters most. There is little regard for the Natives whose rich heritages are already threatened by cultural extinction.
Individuals can take some initiative: Be wary of what you contribute to the environment. Properly dispose of harmful chemicals, such as antifreeze and car oils, that can seep into soil and water. Contact your representatives and encourage them to support treaties and measures that will protect the waning region.
Though we will never witness the results of taking immediate action, there can be hope that the Arctic will be preserved for the future.
Embarking on a journey that took her across the world to witness the Arctic way of life, author Marla Cone gives an intimate look into the Arctic communities, from Alaska to Greenland, and how their livelihoods are being severely jeopardized. Her book, "Silent Snow: The Slow Poisoning of the Arctic," is a comprehensive and ominous resource analyzing the damage to the Arctic and how it affects the rest of planet.
In a process Cone calls "hitchhiking," environmental contaminants traverse the world via wind patterns that circle through the Arctic region. She specifically cited polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs - organic compounds that had been used in products like coolants, paints and flame retardants that were banned in the 1970s because of their extreme toxicity. Regardless, PCBs are still highly prevalent in the environment, and there are many more toxins that have taken its place.
Many of these pollutants that pass through the area end up trapped in ice, food and even people. According to the book, people become carriers when they consume the meat and blubber of infected animals, most importantly the culturally significant whale. An important aspect of their lifestyle is being threatened: If people stop eating it, they will lose a tremendous source of protein, vitamins and heritage, but the more they consume it, the more likely they are to harbor these pollutants that get passed down to their children. People are being exposed to the horrific ramifications of living in industrialized society, without ever having experienced it firsthand.
Tests led by Dr. David Kinloch of Canada's Health and Welfare prove the extent of contamination in Arctic people. Children have been affected from their mothers' breast milk, some of which has been so highly tainted by PCBs that the milk can be considered hazardous waste. Mothers' exposure to high concentrations of PCBs has manifested in children with birth defects, such as lower mental capacities and birth weights.
The contamination exists in every part of Arctic life. The effect on animals has become prevalent, as more polar bears that have been tagged for studies are found to possess mutated genitalia. Hormone levels are disrupted, reproduction is threatened and immune systems are suppressed. As more animals die or are unable to reproduce, their predators will seek out other means of food, which in turn will threaten another animal's supply, and will completely disrupt the normal life cycle of the Arctic. Coupled with warming temperatures, melting sea ice and scarcer food supplies, the situation is becoming disastrous.
What can be done - if anything? It is impossible to rid every organism, animal and human of PCBs. If the pollution could be stopped at this very instant, it could be hundreds of years before the Arctic could recover. For now, an attempt can be made to reduce the pollution, and the responsibility has to lie with those who are thousands of miles away and are causing the problem. Measures need to be taken to reduce the carelessness when it comes to chemical production and waste management to prevent the introduction of more harmful pollutants.
In 2004, 59 countries signed and approved the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants treaty to act upon their toxic waste problem, yet the United States - a top world polluter along with China - and Russia have yet to ratify. How can some of the world's most powerful nations, who have the technology and money to reduce their output of some of the most toxic pollutants, not do anything about it?
President Bush and Congress have yet to fulfill any vague pledges made to the treaty. Though the Environmental Protection Agency administrator in 2004, Christine Whitman, promised Bush's support for the Stockholm Convention, nothing has come of it. For a country that's so willing to pump the oil under Alaska's soil, that likes to eat its crab and buy its fireweed jelly in tourist season, little care is taken to what matters most. There is little regard for the Natives whose rich heritages are already threatened by cultural extinction.
Individuals can take some initiative: Be wary of what you contribute to the environment. Properly dispose of harmful chemicals, such as antifreeze and car oils, that can seep into soil and water. Contact your representatives and encourage them to support treaties and measures that will protect the waning region.
Though we will never witness the results of taking immediate action, there can be hope that the Arctic will be preserved for the future.
For your own research, check out the following Web sites: The official site for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants www.pops.int Organic Ltd.: Information about various environmental pollutants organic.com.au Environmental Chemistry: Find out more about PCBs environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/chemistry/pcb.html Contact your senators and congressman: www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=AK donyoung.house.gov/ |
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