Harmful heavy metals
Mercury
During pregnancy, methylmercury can interfere with fetal
development of the central nervous system and can cause neurological and developmental delays. Women who are exposed
to methylmercury and breastfeed can expose the child through
the milk.
Cadmium
Long-term exposure to cadmium can cause kidney damage,
bone mineral density loss and hypertension. It has also been
listed as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research
on Cancer.
Lead
Ongoing exposure of small amounts of lead is harmful, especially
in young children. Some symptoms of long-term exposure to
lead include anemia, appetite loss, abdominal pain, headaches
and constipation. Like cadmium, long-term exposure to lead
can also harm the kidneys.
Arsenic
Inorganic arsenic is not usually found at high levels in food, but
long-term exposure high levels of inorganic arsenic is known to
contribute to the risk of cancer, and can affect the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver, lungs and skin.
Contact us!
For more information on GMRC’s projects,
please visit our website at
www.migmaqresource.org
Contact us by email at
[email protected] or call us at 418-788-3017
Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq
Resource Council
Lobster Contaminants
Resource Council
Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq
The most common form of mercury found in the environment is in
the form of methylmercury. Long term exposure to methylmercury
may cause numbness and tingling in the extremities, blurred
vision, deafness, lack of muscle coordination and intellectual
impairment, as well as, causing harmful effects on the
cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and reproductive systems.
Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq
Resource Council
S
ince opening in 2007, the
Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council (GMRC) has been
working to promote sustainable
resource management in and
around its member communities
of Listuguj, Eel River Bar, and
Pabineau.
To ensure the safety and well-being
of our community members, the
GMRC has undertaking numerous
projects examining the levels of
contaminates in our traditional
foods.
Most recently, the GMRC began
a project in Eel River Bar to
address a community concern
regarding the levels of heavy
metal contaminates within the
lobster traditionally eaten by the
community, as the lobster they
consume are obtained from an
area in the Bay of Chaleur that
Denny Isaac, Environmental Manager
is plagued with industrial activity.
The aim of the project was to examine the concentrations of
mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, zinc and thallium
in the lobster.
Today, our people are faced with many health problems, such
as obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and
certain types of cancer, as a result of avoiding traditional foods
and adapting a more western diet. This is why the GMRC
encourages the consumption of traditional foods. But we must
also ensure the safety this food source, as exposure to certain
contaminates can also pose very serious health risks.
Toxins in Lobster
Lobster is a traditional food source that has sustained our people
for generations, and many can agree, it makes a delicious meal!
Although the GMRC encourages the consumption of lobsters,
here is something to consider the next time you decide to eat a
lobster!
Avoid eating lobster tomalley
Health Canada recommends avoiding or limiting the amount
of lobster tomalley eaten. Lobster tomalley is the “green stuff”
found in the body of a cooked lobster and is often considered
a delicacy. This green tissue is the pancreas and liver of the
lobster. Like the liver in other animals, it filters toxins, which
can accumulate in the tomalley, becoming more and more
concentrated over time. If our people consume lobster tomalley,
then these toxins can also accumulate in our bodies over time,
which can pose very serious health risks. Some of these toxins
include paralytic shellfish poison and heavy metals.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) results from eating shellfish
that have fed upon toxic microorganisms that are found in ocean
plankton. PSP toxins accumulate in the tomalley, and can
represent a potential health risk to who ever consumes it.
The symptoms of PSP may include the less
severe; numbness or tingling of the lips,
tongue, fingers and toes or the more
severe; loss of muscular coordination,
paralysis and the inability to
breathe.
To date, there have been no
confirmed cases of paralytic
shellfish
poisoning
from
consuming lobster tomalley, but
Health Canada still recommends
that children avoid eating lobster
tomalley and adults restrict their
consumption of lobster tomalley to no
more than two a day. There are no Health Canada restrictions
on the consumption of lobster meat as a result of PSP, as the
toxin is not normally present in the meat.
Heavy Metals
Like PSP toxins, heavy metals can accumulate in the tomalley
of lobster. These metals can form poisonous compounds in
living organisms, which can cause numerous health problems if
exposed to for long periods of time.