Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #245: Workshop / Conference summarizing the results of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program's Human Health research / program (2002 – 2008).  

Outline
The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) is an assessment program of Arctic Council which has a 14 year track record on environmental assessment in the circumpolar arctic. AMAP has released two major reports on arctic environmental contaminants in 1997 and 2002. Research to date has shown that levels of many contaminants are building up in traditional / country foods (polar bears, seals, beluga whales) of many aboriginal northerners to levels that would be unacceptable in southern areas of the same countries. Levels of contaminants are rising to levels of concern in human tissues and early epidemiological studies have found subtle health effects in Inuit infants. Research studies are ongoing to see if the effects seen in infants can be validated among older children. The aboriginal peoples of the arctic are concerned about the possibility of health effects due to contaminants in their traditional / country foods. AMAP will be undertaking an assessment of the research completed in the eight circumpolar countries from 2002-2008 and there will be major interest from circumpolar peoples. This meeting will allow AMAP to present the findings from six years of research to all eight circumpolar countries and the rest of the world. Each country will need to contribute to this AMAP meeting but if Canada is able to contribute funds early in the process it will be able to help guide the direction of this meeting and guide the assessment which will have direct relevance to Arctic Canadians and all circumpolar residents.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This meeting will highlight the human health contaminant research in all eight circumpolar countries from 2002 to 2008. This project will specifically address IPY Themes 4, 5 and 6 plus address the Targets of Natural / Social Science, Education, Outreach and Communication and Legacy. A meeting of this scale bringing human health contaminant experts from all eight circumpolar countries will allow significant communication in what is known about these health effects in the circumpolar world. Ongoing research in arctic Canada, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Alaska will be available for discussion and this meeting sponsored with AMAP will allow future directions to be charted in all circumpolar countries.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This conference will involve close collaboration with the AMAP secretariat in Oslo, Norway (Lars Otto Reirsen), the AMAP Human Health Assessment Group (HHAG) Drs. Jens Hansen (Denmark), Jon Odland (Norway), Andy Gilman (Canada), and other members of the HHAG.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The circumpolar north of all eight circumpolar countries.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 10/02– 09/08            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No new logisitic resources.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
AMAP has a significant track record in preparing state of the art synthesis reports on arctic environmental issues such as contaminants. The AMAP – HHAG will prepare a synthesis report for this meeting with the AMAP secretariat in Oslo. This report will be used as the basis for the discussion on contaminants and their health effects at the proposed Conference. This report will be a significant legacy of this project.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
AMAP Human Health Assessment Group secretariat has agreed that it supports this project.

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?
Yes

The AMAP - HHAG and the AMAP secretariat will need to report to Arctic Council Ministers on the human health research results and the IPY is a logical time to prepare a significant report on this issue which is of direct concern to all arctic residents.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The AMAP Secretariat in Oslo will be the coordinating body for this activity. The AMAP HHAG will prepare and edit the Human Health report and will help in the design of the circumpolar meeting.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
AMAP has always prepared high quality scientific reports and a key part of any AMAP report has been a summary report that is aimed at the general public (Arctic Pollution 2002). A summary report aimed at the general public will be one of the key deliverables of this project.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Conference only though data management is a significant part of the AMAP assessment process.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
To help fund this project I have put in for $50,000C from the Canadian IPY funds in 2007 08 (which have not been delineated). Other circumpolar countries would also need to contribute to make this a reality.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Jay Van Oostdam
Health Canada, Safe Environments Program
Rm A722, Jeanne Mance Bldg. Tunney’s Pasture, AL 1907A
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0K9
Canada

Tel: 613-941-3570
Mobile: no
Fax: 613-941-9238
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation