ABSTRACT
The basis for existence of Eskimos in Greenland has traditionally for centuries been hunting of smaller cetaceans as well as large baleen whales. This hunting pattern, however, also included exploitation of other marine organisms, such as seals, walrus Odobenus rosmarus, and some terrestrial animals like caribou Rangifer tarandus and polar bear Ursus maritimus. The determining factor for mercury exposure was found to be the daily intake of meat from marine mammals. Like mercury, blood selenium concentrations were found to be closely related to the amount of marine mammal meat eaten. The high mercury concentrations found in North Greenland could be suspected to be a result of marine pollution. The current return to the traditional hunting trade means an increasing exposure to toxic metals and probably also increasing health hazards. Special attention should be shown to fetal exposure to mercury. The blood selenium concentrations found in adults from North Greenland were higher than can be explained through meat ingestion.
