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Alaska's Cook Inlet To Be Studied For Health Effects

Release Date: 6/11/1997
Contact Information: Rick Albright (907) 271-5083
rick. [email protected]
(907) 271-5083

June 11, 1997. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 97-39

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A study of chemical contaminants in Cook Inlet will be launched next week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help determine if the pollutants are affecting the health of native villagers living in Tyonek, Seldovia, Port Graham and Nanwalek.

The start of the study was announced today in Anchorage by Rick Albright, director of EPA's Alaska operations office.

"The study will generate information needed to characterize the health risks, if any, that might be associated with contaminants in fish and wildlife harvested by people in the four villages," Albright said. "This study is important to the villagers, because they depend on fish and mammals from Cook Inlet for their food."

Although the impetus for the study stems from the villagers' concern over the potential impact of oil and gas activities on their food supplies, EPA-will examine contaminants that might originate from urban runoff, from pesticide use or from other sources.

"Let's face it, the oil and gas industry is not the only possible contributor of contaminants to Cook Inlet," Albright said "Because of all-the growth and development around the inlet, EPA should consider all the influences that might harm the marine environment."

Samples will be taken in areas of Cook Inlet used by the villagers for subsistence harvesting. Both migrating and resident species of fish will be sampled, as will marine invertebrates, marine plants and marine mammals. Samples will be collected by teams made up of subsistence harvesters from each of -the four villages, and biologists from EPA and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

After sampling is completed on July 1, the samples will undergo laboratory analysis. Lab results will be available early next year, and the risk analysis of those findings will be conducted next spring.

In making preparations for the study, EPA worked with a number of organizations, including the Alaska Department of Health, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the National Marine Fisheries Service, tine: Minerals Management Service, the Alaska Villages Council and Chiefs for Tyonek, Seldovia, Port  Graham and Nanwalek, and the Harbor Seal Commission.