Ecotoxicological risk assessment of environmental pollutants in the Arctic

Toxicol Lett. 2000 Mar 15:112-113:111-8. doi: 10.1016/s0378-4274(99)00201-5.

Abstract

Concentrations of such persistent organic pollutants (POPs) as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are high in certain Arctic animal species. The polar bear, Arctic fox, and glaucous gull may be exposed to PCB levels above lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) values for adverse effects on reproduction in mammals and birds. However, the dioxin-like congeners seem to be major contributors to the reproductive effects of PCBs and the relative concentrations of these congeners are low in polar bears. Temporal trends for POPs in Arctic wildlife and the sensitivities of Arctic species to these compounds determine the risk for future adverse health effects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild*
  • Arctic Regions
  • Environmental Pollutants / isolation & purification
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / isolation & purification
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / toxicity*
  • Reproduction / drug effects*
  • Risk Assessment

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls