Biomonitoring projects in Northern Canada- University of Waterloo

02/15/2023

Thanks to Sambaa K'e for welcoming us last week for updates on plans and results from the biomonitoring project and the Dehcho AAROM fish mercury project. On to Jean Marie River this morning!

02/08/2023

The research team has been in Old Crow, Yukon to share new results and findings as part of the VGG Research Roundup (Feb 1-2). Thanks to the organizers, other visiting scientists, and all the people of Old Crow for welcoming us. I was so inspired by the breadth of work being led by the Vuntut Gwitchin. Next stop on our engagement tour: the Dehcho Region.

05/24/2021

New research on PFAS published! Our research group has published a new paper entitled "Biomarkers of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Sub-Arctic and Arctic communities in Canada" in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.

Polyfluoroalkyl substances and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of anthropogenic chemicals that are used in food packaging, waterproof cl…

02/11/2019

Hello all,
See the link below to listen to the CBC interview with William Josie of the Vuntut Gwitchin Government about the work our research group is doing with the community of Old Crow:

Listen to Old Crow Contaminant Testing CBC Jan 7 740am by User 66794150 on

02/10/2019

Hello everyone,
In addition to the CBC North article, the team's work with Old Crow was also profiled in the Yukon News:

Project sampled residents for levels of metals, pesticides linked to traditional diet

02/10/2019

Hello everyone, our team's work with the community of Old Crow was featured in a story on CBC North:

'We have a high level of traditional foods in our diet and because of that, people are concerned,' said William Josie of the Vuntut Gwitchin government. Scientists have been in Old Crow this week collecting samples from volunteers.

01/15/2019

Hi everyone,

Our biomonitoring team will be traveling to Old Crow, YT to return results from last year's surveys and to hold the biomonitoring clinic. The team will be in Old Crow from January 31 to February 9 and the clinic will be held from February 4 to February 8.

If you have any questions about the clinic, the team will be happy to discuss them with you!

12/21/2018

Happy Holidays! If you have some time, here is a great article about some of the work Dr. Swanson's research group is doing in Northern Canada on mercury and omega-3 fatty acids in fish that are important for local First Nations communities. The article also discusses how this research complements the work of the human biomonitoring project. Enjoy!

11/18/2018

People interested by the results from the biomonitoring project on contaminants, and participants who provided BLOOD, URINE or HAIR, come to meet us to hear about the findings, or pick up your own results letter!

11/14/2018

Hi everyone,

Dr. Mylène Ratelle is currently traveling to return results from the project to Tulita, Fort Good Hope, and Sambaa K'e.

Tulita: Mylène will be there on November 19th for a public meeting and will then be available for one-on-one meetings to return results on November 17, 20, and 21.

Fort Good Hope: Mylène will be there on November 23rd for a public meeting and will then be available for one-on-one meetings to return results on November 24, 26, and 27.

Sambaa K’e: Mylène will be available in the conference room on November 30, and December 1, 3, and 4 for meetings to return the results.

If you have any questions about your results Mylène will be happy to discuss them with you! Mahsi Cho!

11/12/2018

Hello everyone,
This year we were able to do an extra analysis for PAHs and cotinine in the biobanked urine samples. Participants from Kakisa, Deh Gah Gotie First Nation (in Fort Providence), and Deline who provided urine samples during the biomonitoring project in 2016-2017, who consented to have their samples stored in the biobank, and who provided a sufficient volume for us to do the extra tests will receive a confidential results letter for these analyses. These letters will be distributed by the band office in Kakisa and Fort Providence, and by the DRRC in Deline. The letters should arrive in the communities next week. Participants should contact these offices to get their results letters. If you have any questions about the project or want to discuss it please contact Dr. Mylène Ratelle (Email: mratelle@uwaterloo.ca, Phone: 519-888-4567 ext. 30365).

PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are contaminants that can be emitted from smoking or cooking, but also through industrial processes and pollution from fossil fuels and mining activity. Cotinine is a smoking marker and it was measured to help investigate how people are exposed to PAHs and the toxic metal cadmium. We measured these contaminants to gain a more complete understanding of chemical exposures for people in the Northwest Territories. Please contact us if you have any questions! Mahsi Cho!

03/21/2018

If you want to participate, we are at the Band Hall until Friday 6 pm! Come to meet us!