505 West Northern Lights Blvd., Ste. 205; Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 222-7714; (907) 222-7715 (fax) Spring 2013 Newsletter Protecting Future Generations: Assessing and Preventing Exposures to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on St. Lawrence Island By Vi Waghiyi, Environmental Health and Justice Program Director The St. Lawrence Island communities fully support the “Protecting Future Gen- of Gambell and Savoonga are participating erations” project and are working closely in a five-year research partnership with with ACAT because it is important for our ACAT to assess and prevent exposures to communities to understand and minimize endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). our exposures to potentially harmful con- The project is supported by a grant from taminants. This research project is also a the National Institute of Health Sciences collaboration with the University of Alaska (NIEHS). Over the next several months, Anchorage (Drs. Frank von Hippel and the research team will sample household Loren Buck) and University at Albany dust, traditional foods and surface water School of Public Health’s Institute for The communities of Gambell and Savoonga are participating in a five-year research partnership for the presence of EDCs. Health and the Environment (Dr. David with ACAT to assess and prevent exposures to The leadership of Savoonga and Gambell Carpenter). Continued on page 2 endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Reflections on science and democracy Inside: By Pamela K. Miller, Executive Director The legislative session is in full swing in Juneau and I have to Protecting Future Genera- Pg 1-2 tions project say, “it ain’t pretty.” The week of February 18, the Senate voted to weaken wastewater discharge standards for cruise ships, an action Green Clean Team Pg 3 that reverses the will of the people as expressed through the suc- ACAT staff changes Pg 3 cessful 2006 Alaska citizens’ initiative. The Senate’s action repre- sents a vote against clean coastal waters, the health of our salmon The law that polluted the Pg 4-5 world fisheries, subsistence resources, and food security. Despite testimony from fishermen, Native leaders, scientists, and other Alaska citizens who were overwhelmingly opposed FAQs: Flame retardant Pg 5 chemicals to the weakening of discharge standards, the cruise ship wastewater bill (HB 80), passed both the House and Senate of the legislature. The bill is likely to be signed by Governor Donlin Gold Mine: “the other Pg 6 Parnell since it originated from his office and passed with no amendments. Members of Pebble” the Senate who stood up for Alaskans and clean water in opposing HB 80 were Senators Double your donation to Pg 7 ACAT! Johnny Ellis, Hollis French, Berta Gardner, Donny Olson, and Bill Wielechowski. We should thank them for their efforts and for offering constructive amendments that were ultimately defeated by the majority. If your Senator is not among those listed here, please ask them why they voted to allow the cruise ship industry to violate Alaska clean Prefer Email? Contact water standards. [email protected] to receive Earlier in February, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) future newsletters by email only. issued final regulations that eliminate the right of Alaskans to participate in decisions Continued on page 6 “Protecting Future Generations,” continued from page 1 The St. Lawrence Island Work Group pets, use of household chemicals including “Protecting Future Generations” was established to help guide this commu- cleaning products and pesticides, types/use Project nity-based research and includes represen- of personal care products, and use of air tatives of the leadership of both communi- filtration systems. One woman and one The National Institute of Environ- ties, elders, and youth. Together, we are man between the ages of 18 and 35 from mental Health Sciences (NIEHS) planning the research components and will each participating household will also be awarded Alaska Community Action on soon begin the household dust and blood included in the human bio-monitoring Toxics (ACAT) with a five-year grant serum collection. ACAT and the St. Law- component of this study to assess any links to continue our community-based re- rence Island leadership and communities between indoor exposures and the levels of search partnership with our communities are pleased that the Alaska Area Institu- contaminants found in their blood. on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska to: tional Review Board (IRB) recently ap- The SLI research team will collect tradi- • Conduct research related to endo- proved these biomonitoring aspects of our tional food samples during the upcoming crine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs); community-based study. spring hunt. The marine mammals col- • Assess exposures from surface wa- Household dust accumulates chemicals lected will be tested for endocrine disrupt- ters, household dust and traditional that leach from consumer products as well ing chemicals, including perfluorinated foods; as contamination tracked in on our shoes chemicals (PFCs) (used in stain resistant • Provide training programs and em- from outdoors. People can be exposed to cookware and fabrics) and polybrominated ployment opportunities that these chemicals through inhalation of and diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (used in furniture strengthen the communities of St. contact with dust. We chose winter for the and electronics). These EDCs end up in the Lawrence Island (SLI); and dust collection since our homes are more Arctic and are building up on our lands, in • Provide information and ownership of closed in during the winter months. St. our neqepik (traditional foods) and in our data for the people of SLI so they can Lawrence Island researchers will collect bodies, where they disproportionately af- participate in and implement public household dust samples from 48 homes, fect the health and well-being of our Yupik health actions to reduce environ- 32% of the households on SLI (24 in Gam- people. Finally, in the summer, the team mental health risks. bell, 24 in Savoonga). Children are more will collect and test surface waters through vulnerable to exposures from household the collection of stickleback fish that serve policy reform at the international, national dust, so we will select households with as an indicator species. and state-wide levels to eliminate sources children under the age of 12. The research The SLI research team will report the of local and global contaminants in order team has designed questionnaires and will results of this community-based participa- to protect the health and well-being of our conduct interviews with the heads of tory research to the leadership and commu- Yupik people, children, and future genera- households to obtain information on poten- nities so that they can make their own in- tions. tial sources of exposure including the formed decisions with the data. Our SLI types/age of electronics, furniture and car- leaders work pro-actively on chemical Igamsiqaayugviikamsi! (Thank you) Photo by Colleen Keane Photo by Samarys Seguinot-Medina Photo by Samarys Seguinot-Medina Gambell in winter. The St. Lawrence Island During the spring hunt, the research team will In summer, the research team will test surface research team will begin by collecting household collect traditional food samples to test for endo- waters through collection of stickleback fish that dust samples from 48 homes in Savoonga and crine disrupting chemicals. Pictured here is serve as indicator species. Gambell to test for contaminants. mungtak (bowhead whale). www.akaction.org Page 2 Call on our Green Clean Team for spring cleaning! Our green cleaning service is growing! We use research-verified non-toxic cleaning products to decrease your exposure to harmful chemicals. Call (907) 222-7714 or email [email protected] for more information or to sign up for a free estimate for your Anchorage home or office. Testimonial: Our office was blown away by how professional, friendly and thorough the staff (and Antonio) of ACAT is with cleaning our office. Antonio was quick to respond with an inquiry of their services and when they came in person to view the office, they ex- plained in detail the services ACAT provides. It leaves us with peace of mind knowing that the cleaning products they use are all natural which is beneficial in an office setting when people are visiting the office and may have unknown allergens – such as chemicals from cleaning supplies. ACAT has the friendliest staff and they really do a great job. We are definitely satisfied with the ACAT’s Green Clean Team (from left to work they do. Thank you ACAT! right): Antonio Huaiquivil, Matthew Eidem -Renewable Resources, Anchorage, Alaska and Yussuf Hassan Arte. ACAT Staff changes Maricarmen Cruz-Guilloty, Environmental Health & Justice Policy Coordinator Maricarmen is a bilingual Puerto Rican whose love for Alaska wild salmon and interest in supporting environmental justice for Alaska Native Peoples first brought her to Alaska and then to ACAT’s garden wish list ACAT. Maricarmen earned a Juris Doctor and a Masters of Environ- Help support our work to encourage local, mental Law and Policy degree from Vermont Law School in 2012. Welcome, Mari- organic food! ACAT is looking for green- carmen! houses, cold-frames, and sunny garden spaces to grow organic starts for the Anchor- age Farmer’s Market and our garden at the Karla Hart, Legislative Organizer “C” Street Community Gardens. Do you ACAT is pleased to welcome Karla to work with us during the 2013 have extra gardening space? Please con- Legislative Session. Karla is a lifelong Alaskan from Juneau. She has tact ACAT to talk with us about how we worked for the Alaska Legislature as an aide, researcher, and floor might share space in your greenhouse, cold- staff and has also served as a legislative reporter in Juneau. frame, or yard. Also on our wish list is a donated truck! Email: [email protected] Samantha Englishoe We offer our fond and very best wishes to Samantha Englishoe, Envi- CHE-AK Call, March 6, 9:00 am ronmental Health and Justice Policy Coordinator, who is leaving to Environmental Exposures & Autism teach in Nepal and will then pursue graduate studies.