Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort simpson (Apr 02/04) - Mercury, lead and cadmium are not something anyone wants on their dinner plate.

However, these toxic elements are found in nature -- sometimes dumped by humans, but more often existing naturally. These elements are consumed by animals, which are in turn consumed by people.

The latest Canadian Arctic Contaminants Assessment Report assures NWT residents that although trace amounts of the elements are in some animals' systems, the meat from those animals is nutritious and by and large still very safe to eat.

"That's the message. Everything in life comes with benefits and risks, but the benefits far outweigh the risks in most of these instances," said Ria Letcher, the contaminants co-ordinator for the Deh Cho First Nations.

Letcher has made a presentation on contaminants in each Deh Cho community other than the Hay River Reserve, although she plans to make a stop there.

The public is generally unaware of metals and chemicals that can contaminate wildlife, particularly the naturally occurring types, Letcher said. She noted that she's cautious to inform people without alarming them.

Yet there are recommendations to heed. In the Deh Cho, consumption advisories have been put in place on certain fish from Little Doctor Lake, Cli Lake and Keller Lake due to naturally occurring mercury. For example, the report recommends that no more than 250 grams (8.5 ounces) of muscle from pike and walleye be eaten each week. Children and women of childbearing age are advised to eat no more than one-half that amount.

It's also recommended that people try to eat younger and smaller fish that are lower on the food chain.

The report serves as a foundation for environmental baseline data, Letcher noted. However, there haven't yet been enough studies done on smaller animals such as ducks and rabbits, she said.

Regardless, the existing research on contaminants will be useful as industrial development takes hold in the Deh Cho, said Letcher.

"There are still very pristine areas and we'd like to keep it that way," she said. "So (with this data) we'll know if anything is ever compromised we can pinpoint where it's possibly coming from."