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For several decades, Northern Quebec has been exploited by mining companies for its mineral resources, yet, research documenting the effects of toxic stress on fish health in subarctic environments remains limited. In this study, one lake directly affected by mining activities in the Schefferville area, two lakes close to mining facilities in the Fermont and Schefferville areas, and one reference lake were sampled for water, sediment, and fish. Our results suggest that manganese bioaccumulation induced an oxidative stress in Catostominae, as demonstrated by the positive relationships between manganese concentrations and catalase (CAT) activity and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentrations, as well as the negative relationship with glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (both CAT and GPx activities being biomarkers of antioxidant capacities and 8-OHdG an indicator of deoxyribonucleic acid oxidative damage). Similarly, selenium bioaccumulation was positively correlated with 8-OHdG concentrations in Salmoninae. These results suggest a prooxidant role of excess selenium and manganese, and highlight the interspecific variability of fish responses to contaminated areas around historical and current iron ore mining operations. Key words: Northern fish, metal contamination, oxidative stress, Fermont, Schefferville, 1. Introduction Fish are ectothermic organisms, meaning that energy allocation is modulated in part by the environmental temperature (Power 1978; Jobling et al. 1997). Generally, in cold environments, the age [...]

To better understand the spatial patterns in arsenic (As) bioaccumulation in freshwater systems, we investigated ecological, physical, and chemical factors associated with total arsenic concentrations ([As]) in lacustrine and riverine fish across Ontario, Canada, using a dataset of 3200 fish across 152 waterbodies. Assembled data of water chemistry, landscape characteristics, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in muscle tissue were then used to assess factors related to As bioaccumulation. Results show that [As] were generally low across most species and waterbodies (i.e., Key words: arsenic, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, stable isotopes, fish, freshwater, 1. Introduction Consuming wild-caught fish is a healthy source of protein and omega fatty acids. However, it also provides a potential pathway of contaminant exposure to recreational and subsistence fishers. [...]

The presence of cadmium (Cd) in food produced in Latin America has been highlighted in recent years. Cadmium can be toxic to humans at low levels, and therefore monitoring its presence in food is relevant for public health. Cadmium concentrations from different sources, such as water, soil, sediment, food, and beverages were examined and discussed to address the non-occupational exposure of the Latin American population to Cd. A literature review was conducted examining publications from 2015 to 2020 and data available in the ScienceDirect and PubMed databases. Twenty-eight papers reported on Cd in water, 49 reported Cd in soil and sediments, and 86 reported on Cd in food. We have identified and discussed the factors affecting the environmental behavior and bioaccumulation of Cd, the main species used in monitoring studies, and the necessity for future research. Brazil and Mexico are the countries that provided the most available information, whereas for some countries in Central America, no information was found. The Cd levels in food examined in these studies (mostly fish and cacao) were generally below the established maximum levels, indicating a low risk. When considering the presence of Cd in food, water, and soil, Cd fractionation and chemical speciation studies are fundamental to understanding which forms of Cd are the most toxic. In turn, studies on bioaccessibility and bioavailability of Cd in food are also needed for more adequate risk assessment, but they are currently scarce within Latin America. Key words: cadmium, water, soil, food, fish, cacao. La presence de cadmium (Cd) dans les aliments produits en Amerique latine a ete sous les feux de la rampe ces dernieres annees. En ce qui concerne la securite alimentaire, cet element peut etre toxique pour l'humain a de faibles niveaux d'exposition, et sa surveillance est une question de sante publique. Les concentrations de cadmium provenant de differentes sources, telles que l'eau, le sol, les sediments, les aliments et les boissons ont ete examinees et discutees afin d'aborder l'exposition non professionnelle de la population latino-americaine. Une revue de la litterature a ete realisee, qui a considere les publications de 2015 a 2020 et disponibles dans les bases de donnees ScienceDirect et PubMed. Vingt-huit articles ont ete retenus pour le Cd dans l'eau, quarante-neuf pour le Cd dans le sol et les sediments, et quatre-vingt-six pour le Cd dans les aliments. Les auteurs identifient et discutent des facteurs affectant le comportement environnemental et la bioaccumulation du Cd, les principales especes utilisees dans les etudes de surveillance, et la necessite de recherches futures. Le Bresil et le Mexique sont les pays pour lesquels le plus d'informations sont disponibles, alors que pour certains pays d'Amerique centrale, aucune information n'a ete trouvee. Les niveaux de Cd dans les aliments examines dans ces etudes (principalement le poisson et le cacao) etaient generalement inferieurs aux niveaux maximaux etablis, ce qui indique un faible risque. Lorsque l'on considere la presence de Cd dans les aliments, l'eau et le sol, les etudes de fractionnement et de speciation chimique du Cd sont fondamentales pour comprendre quelles especes de Cd sont les plus toxiques. De meme, des etudes sur la bioaccessibilite et la biodisponibilite du Cd dans les aliments sont egalement necessaires pour une evaluation plus adequate des risques, mais elles sont actuellement rares dans toute l'Amerique latine. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : cadmium, eau, sol, aliments, poisson, cacao., Introduction Cadmium is an element with no recognized useful biological function in the majority of plants and animals. The only exception known so far is the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii, [...]

Fish is a highly nutritious food, but it can also be a dietary source of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). (1) In a new study in EHP, researchers investigated the extent [...]

Numerous studies have demonstrated dwindling consumer confidence in the safety of the food supply and growing interest in purchasing 'safe' foods. However, this research has painted no consistent picture of those concerned about food safety, nor has it investigated the relationship between environmental and food safety attitudes. A mail survey of Japanese and the United States consumers is used to evaluate whether selected environmental attitudes can explain food safety concerns and behavior. Findings indicate high concern about food safety in both countries, but income, age, education, and attitudes about the impacts of fossil fuel use explain little of the variance. Instead, that concern appears to be prompted largely by an interest in obtaining a healthy diet. It is also noted that Japanese consumers are more concerned about both food safety and the impacts of fossil fuel use, perhaps because of Japan's lack of natural resources and high food import levels.