title: Medical Toxicology and Public Health-Update on Research and Activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry : Environmental Exposures among Arctic Populations: The Maternal Organics Monitoring Study in Alaska.
abstract: Evidence suggests that in-utero exposure to environmental chemicals, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals, and radionuclides, that might bioaccumulate in the mother may increase a newborn's risk of adverse developmental, neurological, and immunologic effects. Chemical contamination of bodies of water and strong ocean currents worldwide can drive these chemicals from lower latitudes to Arctic waters where they accumulate in common traditional subsistence foods. In response to concerns of the people from Alaska of the effects of bio-accumulated chemicals on their children, the Maternal Organics Monitoring Study(MOMS) was developed. The objective of the study was to assess the risks and benefits associated with the population's subsistence diet. Data analysis of biological samples at the CDC's NCEH laboratory and maternal questionnaires is ongoing. Results will be provided to Alaska Native communities to help support public health actions and inform future interventions and research.
authors.affiliation: Health Studies Branch, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), 4770 Buford Highway, Chamblee, GA, 30341, USA. yju2@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Mehruba
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3551-2749
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anwar
authors.affiliation: Health Studies Branch, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), 4770 Buford Highway, Chamblee, GA, 30341, USA.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ridpath
authors.affiliation: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), 4000 Ambassador Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berner
authors.affiliation: Health Studies Branch, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), 4770 Buford Highway, Chamblee, GA, 30341, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Schier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska; D000072957:Alaska Natives; D001110:Arctic Regions; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D012042:Registries; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States; D014483:United States Dept. of Health and Human Services
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Arctic populations; In-utero toxicity; Persistent organic pollutants; Subsistence diet; The maternal organics monitoring study