Risk communication and perceptions about lead ammunition and Inuit health in Nunavik, Canada

ABSTRACT

Lead ammunition is commonly used to hunt waterfowl and other wildlife in the Arctic. Hunting with lead is problematic because the toxicant can be transferred to the consumer. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate perceptions and awareness of the risks associated with using lead ammunition among Arctic populations. Results of the Nunavik Child Development Study (a longitudinal health study gathering information on health and well-being among Inuit in Nunavik, Canada) included advice to eliminate the use of lead ammunition in hunting practices. We surveyed 112 Nunavik residents (93 women; 18 men) about their awareness of lead related messages, use of lead ammunition and risk perceptions about contaminants. Sixty-seven participants (59.8%) reported there was an active hunter in their household. We found that only 27% of participants had heard or seen the messages about reducing lead ammunition. After participants viewed the Nunavik Child Development Study messages about lead, 44% stated they would stop using lead ammunition. However, 28% indicated that they would continue using lead ammunition. We conclude that, while messages had an overall positive effect, further study is required to understand why people continue to use lead ammunition.

KEYWORDS:

• Contaminants
• risk perceptions
• Indigenous
• education
• health communication
• lead
• ammunition

Acknowledgments

Studies such as these could not be done without the participation of the people of Kuujjuaq, and we are grateful to them for sharing their time and views. We would like to thank the research assistants for their invaluable help: Mina Gordon, Darlene Kauke, Lizzie Epo, Kristeen McTavish and Nicole Bilodeau. Thank you to the Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee with their partnership, support, and review of this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research under award number MOP102623 and the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under award number K01AG066063. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research or the National Institutes of Health.