title: Two examples of environmental problems occurring in remote sparsely populated areas.
abstract: Studies in two widely separated remote areas are presented. Arsenic from gold mining contaminates the town of Yellowknife, North West Territories, Canada, An electromyographic study was carried out on 517 people in Yellowknife and a control population. Correlations between hair arsenic levels and nerve velocity, although not striking, are noted. Mercury contamination of fish in a pristine environment in Lake Murray, Western Province, Papua New Guinea, is reflected in elevated hair and urine levels in the local inhabitants. An attempt was made to determine the effects of mercury on the people and 40% of those tested had albumen in their urine. The conclusions drawn from these studies are given. The problems imposed on epidemiological studies by remote areas and harsh conditions are suggested.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D010219:Papua New Guinea; D012423:Rural Health
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006046:Gold; D008628:Mercury; D001151:Arsenic