Date of Award
2009
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Supervisor
Dr. John Bend
Second Advisor
Dr. Gideon Koren
Abstract
Walpole Island First Nation (WIFN) community is located on the St. Clair River
downstream from the large industrial area, Chemical Valley. Members of the WIFN have historically been exposed to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals which could contribute to adverse health, such as type 2 diabetes and chemophobia. We conducted a collaborative community-based biomonitoring study with volunteers from the WIFN. Hair and blood samples were used to assess exposure to POPs and heavy metals and to determine levels of stress within the community by the assay of cortisol on hair. Concentrations of POPs and heavy metals in volunteers were within ranges reported in the scientific literature for other populations, and were either lower or no different from 2 referent groups living in Ontario. Cortisol concentrations in hair of volunteers were higher compared to a referent group, indicating the possibility of enhanced stress from which chemophobia contribution is unknown.
Recommended Citation
Hill, Julie D., "Ecosystem Health in Walpole Island: Exposure to POPs and Heavy Metals in the WIFN Community" (2009). Digitized Theses. 3948.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3948