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ergy. We must also assure appropriate support for key agencies 

 and activities in Alaska. 



During the Arctic Perspectives Conference, lots of attention was 

 given to the concept of management for sustainability. While most 

 focus was given to subsistence and natural resources, I believe we 

 should expand this concept to management for sustainability of 

 Arctic people. At this time, we have great concerns about the im- 

 pact of environmental contaminants on human health. Contamina- 

 tion of the food chain is a major potential threat to subsistence and 

 sustainability of Arctic people. We must respond with adequate re- 

 sources, good science and involvement of local Arctic people who 

 are impacted. We must empower individuals so they can make in- 

 formed decisions about their lives and lifestyles. 



At this time, although our data are incomplete, we know that 

 there are not likely to be any serious adverse health impacts in the 

 short term. Available data do not show any recent increase in lev- 

 els of contaminants in subsistence foods, fish and marine mam- 

 mals. Available data do not show recent increases in levels of con- 

 taminants in Arctic people. But serious gaps in our knowledge of 

 critical areas exist. We can obtain data in key areas quickly 

 through initial assessments and monitoring. We then can develop 

 more detailed research proposals to close critical gaps. Because ef- 

 fects of exposure to toxic materials on people are often not seen 

 until many years after exposure, we could obtain important infor- 

 mation on the extent of environmental contamination by improving 

 surveillance of health status of people in the former Soviet Union. 

 The National Centers for Disease Control has proposed providing 

 technical assistance for public health surveillance by placing medi- 

 cal epidemiologists in key health districts in the former Soviet 

 Union, including five medical epidemiologists in Siberia. Using 

 Alaska as a logistics base and support facility, CDC could provide 

 rapid identification of key health status parameters that might 

 identify major contaminants or areas of concern. Surveillance 

 would enable focused evaluation of environmental data to assist in 

 determining potential impacts on Arctic people. 



In summary, I believe it essential that the United States commit 

 adequate resources to assure protection of the Arctic and its people. 

 The United States can assure development of a coordinated pro- 

 gram that will one, pull together available data; two, establish 

 what contaminants have been released; three, establish an appro- 

 priate program to provide constant and current data; and four, in- 

 terpret data and provide information to those who need it. 



I believe the United States should support strongly the Inter- 

 national Arctic Science Committee and AMAP, fund fully and ur- 

 gently the proposal by the Centers for Disease Control to establish 

 surveillance of health status in the former Soviet Union, and pro- 

 vide enhanced resources to fully assess the potential threat from 

 Arctic environmental contamination. 



Finally, I believe it essential to communicate quickly and respon- 

 sibly the results of scientific studies to Arctic people. We must use 

 the data to empower Arctic residents to make informed decisions 

 for themselves. We must guard against the possibility of causing 

 groundless fears that result in scientists taking away from the 



