Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Impact on gestation and birth outcome from dietary exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC)  (Endocrine disruptors and human health (EDHH))

Outline
Arctic ecosystems including the wildlife are described to be adversely affected by climate change and human activity, and are under stress. Research conducted in the 1990s by the Canadian Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) and the Arctic Council’s Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) documented long-range transport of halogenated aromatic and aliphatic compounds and toxic metals from tropical and temperate areas to the Arctic Bioaccumulation of lipophilic environmental contaminants have contributed to higher concentrations of contaminants in the fatty tissues of some of the mammalian species including the whale, walrus and seal and possibly fish and terrestrial wild game. Frequent and long term consumption of traditional or country foods have resulted in higher tissue levels in individuals. Many of these persistent environmental contaminants are hormonally active and are able to interact with and disrupt the mammalian hormonal system including humans. These endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) are reported to induce a host of effects ranging from altered embryo development to initiation and promotion of cancer. Research has also indicated that persistent environmental contaminants such as PCBs, toxaphene, DDT and mercury biomagnify and bioaccumulate in the food chain. Levels of organochlorine contaminants in human tissue in the Arctic are considerably higher than those in southern Canadians, reflecting the greater consumption of food species at the top of long food chains. Traditional or country food used by women and men 20-40 years of age is highest in Inuit communities, followed by Dene and Métis of the NWT and then First Nations people of the Yukon. Age and gender are factors that influence traditional or country food use, with men having higher average intakes than women, furthermore traditional or country food consumption increases with age. Continued monitoring and assessment of the frequency of consumption of traditional or country foods in a limited number of Dene and Métis, First Nations, and Inuit communities is needed to identify any significant changes in consumption patterns and determine the extent of exposure. It is also necessary to evaluate the human health impacts of these exposures. We hypothesize that exposure to EDC of the vulnerable section of the population have the potential to adversely impact their health. In this study we wish to study the impact of exposure to EDC on the health of the pregnant women during gestation and on the birth outcome following the gestational period. Pregnant women and more so the developing embryo are vulnerable because of their delicate status; and the ability of the EDC to cross the placental barrier and affect the developing embryo, which consequently could affect the birth outcome. Through this study we plan to quantify the exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds during gestation and examine the potential impact of these exposures on gestation and birth outcome. We will also determine molecular biomarkers of exposure and examine their association with birth outcome measures.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project anticipates creating new knowledge and understanding of the impact of exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals. We will specifically focus on human health and examine how the effects of gestational exposures could induce epigenetic changes in the biological milieu and hence repercussions later in life. The indigenous communities in the arctic offer an unique opportunity for a number of reasons: 1) higher levels of contaminants, 2) higher exposures from dietary and environmental sources, 3) greater incidence of adverse health effects specially in the infants and early childhood development.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
We have developed partnerships with University of Illinois at Chicago, USA; Environmental Protection Agency, USA. Other international partnerships and collaborations are under discussion.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Circumpolar arctic (Eastern Hudson Bay, Western Hudson Bay, Northwest Territories

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/06 – 05/07      06/07 – 05/08      06/08 – 05/09
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Existing land based stations including clinics, hospitals, community centers and other research facilitating centers will be used in consultation with the local community.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
This project will leave a network or researchers and community representatives. This network will have better capacity to provide answers to questions relating to exposure to contaminants and human health. This network will facilitate training of HQP and enhance research capacity.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
National agency
Commercial operator
Other sources of support

Local communities in the arctic and initiatives through the local and the Canadian Federal Government.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No - We have just begun the process of getting the project endorsed at the national and international level.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?


This is a new project developed for the IPY. However, it is built on our existing OMNI project wherein we have a cohort of approximately 5000 mothers and babies born in the Ottawa area. This cohort is studied for exposures during gestation and its impact on birth outcome.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organized and managed by Dr. Levitt under the guidance of the team of researchers led by Dr. Gomes. Dr. Levitt will plan the activities in consultation with the researchers and will liaise with the local, national and international partners. The project will be managed from the University of Ottawa.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The research manager will establish early contact with local organizations and community centers through agencies such as the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canadian Institute of Child Health, etc. Local community representatives will also be identified and invited to participate in the planning of the activities.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The lead investigator will be responsible for the overall management of the data. The lead investigator will work with the other researchers in initial management and analysis of the data. Information from the preliminary and advanced analysis will be made available to the regional Inuit organizations and communities through the continued consultation process. All the findings will also be made available through the project website.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The research team will explore funding opportunities from the Canadian IPY opportunity. The members of this research team will also explore other national and international funding opportunities.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The research team has excellent combination of research capability and would like to build on the work they have done in the OMNI project.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr James Gomes
University of Ottawa
Health Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences
451 Smyth Road
K1H 8M5
Canada

Tel: (613) 562 5800 x 8426
Mobile: no
Fax: (613) 562 5428
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation