Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in Ooligan Grease: A Traditional Food Fat of British Columbia First Nations

Levels of persistent organic pollutants including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorohexanes, dieldrin, chlordane, mirex, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were measured in ooligan fish (Thaleichthys pacificus) prepared in the way usually consumed and in ooligan grease collected from five communities (Nass River, Kitimaat, Bella Coola, Kingcome Inlet, and Knights Inlet) in the coastal area of British Columbia, Canada. Levels of chlorinated pesticides and PCB increased from the north to the south, with the lowest from Nass River and highest from Knights Inlet. Average levels of persistent organic pollutants (110 ng/g lipid of total chlorinated pesticide and 30 ng/g lipid of PCB) were lower than those reported in fish from the Great Lakes and similar to those from the Arctic and were below the regulation limits established by Health Canada. Therefore, consumption of ooligan grease presents minimal health risk from organochlorine exposure.