What will happen if our bodies are continually exposed to mercury? To answer that question, scientists in Alaska studied Siberian Husky sled dogs, who, like the region’s indigenous people, eat a famously healthy diet of antioxidant-and omega-3 rich-foods such as moose, black bear, salmon and pike.
By comparing samples of the sled dogs’ blood and hair to samples from kennel huskies that ate processed food, the researchers observed that the mercury levels in the sled dogs’ systems of were high—and high enough to interfere with antioxidant status. After two months, the mercury contamination messed with antioxidant status enough to pose a health risk to the animals—and probably the people who are exposed to the same environmental hazards.
Most of the mercury in the dogs’ environment comes from coal-generated power plants located far away from the Yukon, and it eventually accumulates in the tissue of the fish and animals that the dogs eat. “While the mercury levels of the salmon are well below EPA standards,” say the authors, “The fact that the mercury had such a negative impact on antioxidant status indicates that monitoring should continue and that mercury generation should be monitored.”
Something to keep in mind the next time you order some wild Alaskan salmon.
Source: IOP Publishing’s journal Environmental Research Letters
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Interesting! I have read about the link between mercury and heart disease – perhaps this is part of the process. Thank you for sharing. Plus that picture is adorable!
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:27 pm
yes–thanks, it is interesting on so many levels. While I was reading the study i kept thinking about the playful sled dog character in Call of The Wild that shows Buck how to bury himself in the snow to keep warm…
December 3rd, 2011 at 11:22 am
Hi Denise, this is so amazing. Who knew dangerous mercury could touch so many living things? Thank you for posting on the Moms Clean Air Force Facebook page. We would love to cross-post this post on our site. All attribution would go to you, of course. Please contact me at ronnie@momscleanairforce.org
May 20th, 2012 at 6:51 am
[...] that protect without toxins; Air Pollution Linked to Kids’ Anxiety and Attention Problems; What Siberian Husky Sled Dogs Reveal About Human Bodies. Rate this: Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this [...]
June 4th, 2012 at 11:28 pm
[...] that protect without toxins; Air Pollution Linked to Kids’ Anxiety and Attention Problems; What Siberian Husky Sled Dogs Reveal About Human Bodies. Rate this:Share this:TwitterFacebookPinterestTumblrLinkedInLike this:LikeBe the first to [...]
August 1st, 2012 at 9:09 pm
[...] Racket Known As Flame Retardants; Air Pollution Linked to Kids’ Anxiety + Attention Problems; What Siberian Husky Sled Dogs Reveal About Our Human Bodies Rate this:Share this:TwitterFacebookPinterestTumblrLinkedInLike this:LikeBe the first to like [...]