POLLUTANTS

Question 1

Please name the sources of arsenic

Answer 1

NATURAL
Groundwater through erosion

HUMAN
Burning fosil fuels
Waste burning
Metal production

Question 2

How are humans exposed to arcenic

Answer 2

INGESTION (+)
Primary source is FOOD
Drinking water (less common)

INHALATION
Wood industries
Construction industries

Question 3

Please name strategies to mititgate the exposure to arsenic

Answer 3

• Control of importation and manufacturing
• Food regulations
  *Consumer products regulation

Question 4

What are the health effects of arsenic toxicity?

Answer 4

ACUTE
* CSN: Encephalopathy
* CV: Cardiotoxicity, peripheral edema, shock
* GI: N/V/D
* Other: muscle cramps, fever, Death

CHRONIC
* Neurotoxicity (neuropathy, weakness)
* Hyperpigmentation
* PVD = Blackfoot disease
* Diabetes
* Bone marrow suppression
* Cancer: Lung, bladder, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (IARC 1)

Question 5

Please name the sources of cadmium

Answer 5

NATURAL
Particulate matter from:
Wild fires
Volcanic emissions/eruptions
Weathering of soil and bedrock

HUMAN
Smoking
Mining
Smelting
Sewage
Incineration
Battery manufacturing

Question 6

How are humans exposed to cadmium

Answer 6

INHALATION (+)
Smoking
At work in welding, PVC plastic production, machinery manufacturing or metal processing

INGESTION
Food (leafy vegetables)
Drinking water

Question 7

What are the health effects of cadmium toxicity

Answer 7

ACUTE
* Headache, weakness
* Pneumonitis
* GI irritation
* Itai-Itai disease
(joint pain, fractures, anemia, kidney failure and death)

CHRONIC
* Nephrotoxicity (Kidney stones, renal dysfunction)
* Osteoporosis
* Occupational COPD
* Lung cancer (IARC 1)

Question 8

Risk Mitigation for arsenic

Answer 8

Food regulations
Consumer product regulations
Control of importation and manufacturing

Question 9

Risk mitigation for cadmium

Answer 9

Recycling batteries
Promoting the elimination of use of cadmium in products
Minimizing emissions from mining and waste management

GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
Prohibiting smoking in public spaces
Restrict the use of non-recycable cadmium

Question 10

Please name the sources of LEAD

Answer 10

NATURAL
Volcanic emissions

HUMAN
Mining
Smelting
Refining
Battery manufacturing/recycling
Drinking water

Question 11

How are humans exposed to LEAD

Answer 11

INGESTION
Food and drinking water
Chipped paints
Pottery dinnerware

INHALATION
Smoking
Dust

Question 12

What are the health effects of LEAD toxicity

Answer 12

ACUTE
* General: fatigue, sleep disturbances
CSN: Headache, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, encephalopathy, convulsions
GI: N/V, abdo pain, anorexia, constipation
* Anemia and Death

CHRONIC
* Neurotoxicity (cognitive and motor deficits)
*Nephropathy
* Heme: anemia
* Miscarriage
* Hypertension
* Cancer (IARC 2A: Inorganic; IARC 3: Organic)

Question 13

Risk Mitigation for LEAD

Answer 13

• Test drinking water
• Replace old pipes
• Do not store food/beverages in lead crystal
• Water quality standards

Question 14

Please name the sources of MERCURY

Answer 14

NATURAL
* Volcanic activity
* Rock weathering
* Predatory Fish

HUMAN
* Mining (gold)
* Fossil fuels
* Incineration (batteries, bulbs)
* Pulp and paper
* Dental fillers
*Medical equipment

Question 15

How are humans exposed to MERCURY

Answer 15

INGESTION
*Predatory fish (shark, tuna, escolar, swordfish)

INHALATION
* Vapours linger on floors, children at risk

Question 16

What are the health effects of MERCURY toxicity?

Answer 16

ACUTE
* Neurotoxicity (paresthesia, slurred speech, weakness)
* Minimata disease
-Occurred in Minimata, Japan.
Severe poisoning after consumption of contaminated fish
-Neurological disease caused by severe mercury poisoning
-Ataxia, numbness, weakness
- Respiratory, cardiovascular and nephrotoxicity effects

CHRONIC
* Acrodynia “Pink disease” (red, painful extremities)
* Mad hatter’s disease
-Change in personality
-Anxiety/irritability
-Memory loss
* Developmental concerns

Group 2B (Organic: methylmercury)

Group 3: Inorganic mercury

Question 17

Mitigation Strategies to mercury exposure

Answer 17

• Reduce use of mercury products
• Limit consumption of predatory fish

*General Population - 150g/ WEEK
*Pregnancy / Lactation - 150 g per MONTH
*Children 5-11 years old - 125 g/MONTH
*Children 1-4 years old - 75 g/MONTH

• Minimata convention: Treaty to prevent emission and releases of mercury
• Prohibited in consumer products

Question 18

What are Health Canada’s recommendation on fish consumption?

Answer 18

PREDATORY FISH
(Fresh/frozen tuna, Shark, Swordfish, Marlin, Orange roughy, Escolar)

*General Population - 150g/ WEEK
*Pregnancy / Lactation - 150 g per MONTH
*Children 5-11 years old - 125 g/MONTH
*Children 1-4 years old - 75 g/MONTH

CANNED TUNA
*Pregnancy / Lactation - 300 g per WEEK
*Children 5-11 years old - 150 g per week
* Children 1-4 years old - 75 g per WEEK