Contaminant Biomonitoring in the Northwest Territories Mackenzie Valley: Investigating the Links Between Contaminant Exposure, Nutritional Status, and Country Food Use

A contaminant biomonitoring study was completed in the Dehcho and Sahtu Regions of the Northwest Territories in order to investigate the levels of nutrient biomakers and contaminant exposure among participating First Nations communities. We implemented human hair, urine, and blood sampling for contaminant biomonitoring in nine communities between January 2016 and March 2018. In each community, participants were invited to complete up to three questionnaires that evaluated food consumption patterns and preferences in terms the communication of contaminant information. This research will be used to i) analyze the levels and driving factors of contaminant exposure among project participants; and ii) evaluate the impact of public health messages on people's awareness of contaminant issues.This work has used a risk-benefit approach to promote the use of country foods in order to improve nutrition and food security while lessening contaminant exposure among First Nations communities in the Northwest Territories. Altogether, this work will inform the development of regional-specific communication tools that promote the consumption of country foods in order to lower risk factors for chronic disease while limiting contaminant exposure among First Nations communities in the Dehcho and Sahtu Regions.