Persistent Organic Pollutants and Heavy Metals (Including Mercury) - The Changing Arctic Environment: The Arctic Messenger - page 184

Substance Reproduction

Development

Neurotoxic Liver

Enzymes

Immune
Suppression

Thyroid
and
Vitamin
A

Cancer Other

PFAS (8)

✓ ✓ NM

Notes on substances:

(1) DDT: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites

(2) HCB: Hexachlorobenzene

(3) HCH: Hexachlorocyclohexane

(4) PCBs: Polychlorinated biphenyls

(5) SCCP: Short-chain chlorinated paraffins

(6) PCNs: Polychlorinated naphthalenes

(7) PBDEs: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers

(8) PFAS: Polyfluoroalkyl substances; also known as perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and in-
cluding perfluorinated carboxylic acid (PFCA), perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane
sulfonate (PFOS)

Notes on effects:

AD: Overstimulation of the adrenal gland; BF: Bone brittleness in fish; NM: Nonmutagenic tu-
mour promoter; M: Mutagenic; PC: Permanent changes in learning behaviour and memory; P:
Porphyria

An important point to notice is the column under the heading “Thyroid and Vitamin A”.
It illustrates how many of these substances have endocrine (hormonal)-disrupting poten-
tial and it is presently believed that a number of outcomes and effects listed in the oth-
er columns may involve perturbed endocrine activity. Similarly, we could devote another
topic to the health implications of exposure by Arctic fish and wildlife in relation to the
table of POPs toxic properties. However, we will simply note at this stage that if you look