Toxicants limit the future potential regarding the health of human, plant and animal communities. Mohawks are exposed to persistent toxicants such as PCBs by consuming contaminated fish and wildlife, drinking water (the water intake from the St. Lawrence River is located downstream from the polluting industries), ingestion of soils, dermal contact from swimming, and the consumption of breastmilk by infants. It should be pointed out that, until the dangers became evident, young people would regularly swim in the St. Lawrence River adjacent to the GM outfalls. Until 1986, no fence even separated the industrial landfill at GM from Akwesasne and children played in the landfill, using it for bike riding and sledding. Because of their downstream location and subsistence economy, health impacts are borne almost exclusively by Mohawk people. Health studies at Akwesasne to date have almost exclusively focused on exposure and not effects. Insufficient resources, as well as a small population size, make detailed morbidity/mortality studies difficult. Health effects continue to be a concern for Mohawks living at Akwesasne and recent scientific reports have many people worried about increased rates of immunological, reproductive and hormone based disorders. In addition, rapid changes in diet associated with fish and wildlife advisories may also be leading to diet related illnesses. Community members and primary health caregivers have recently called attention to what they consider to be unusually high rates of neurobehavioral and reproductive problems, immunologic diseases, thyroid problems, chronic liver disease in people with no history of alcohol use and diabetes which is now appearing in teenagers.
For more information about ongoing environmental health research at Akwesasne, go to the State University of New York at Albany Superfund Projects home page.
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