Cultural concerns regarding contaminants in Alaskan local foods.

Indigenous people of Alaska, who depend in many ways on foods which they obtain locally by hunting, fishing, and gathering, have raised concerns about the changing quality of their foods in light of confirmation of the long-range transport of global pollutants. A review of a variety of parallel research efforts has shown little consistency in practice, no clear evaluation of exposure levels through dietary surveys on a broad scale, and no comprehensive educational effort to inform the general public of the changing levels of pollutants in local foods. Nor has there been adequate communication regarding the source of the contamination, whether natural contaminants or anthropogenic pollution. Alaska Native cultural issues that contribute to the risk perception of a health problem inherent in eating a traditional diet that is showing signs of increasing levels of pollution, no matter how small, must be considered in any recommendations regarding locally obtained foods and in public health efforts. Recommended cross-cultural communication methods should be employed in dealing with topics of high community concern.