title: Ecological risk assessment of persistent organic pollutants in the arctic.
abstract: Ecological risk assessment of persistent organic chemicals in marine mammals in the Arctic would comprise assessments of both exposure and effect and risk characterization. Results from a comprehensive collaborative study between Norwegian and Canadian researchers, comprising epizoological (ecological) studies (reproductive rate, offspring survival), experimental studies on the immune system function, monitoring studies (e.g. physiological assays of thyroid hormones, retinol, IgG and testosterone) and registration of biological data (e.g. sex, age, reproductive status, nutritional status) were coupled with PCB exposure data. Assessment of the results indicates that population status and health of polar bears with very high PCB levels may be at risk.
authors.affiliation: National Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway. janneche.skaare@vetinst.no
authors.forename: Janneche Utne
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Skaare
authors.forename: Hans Jørgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lie
authors.forename: Aksel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernhoft
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Derocher
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Norstrom
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ropstad
authors.forename: Nicholas F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Lunn
authors.forename: Øystein
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Wiig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017215:Satellite Communications; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D001503:Ursidae / Q000502:physiology*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014801:Vitamin A; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls