our next speaker is... Niladri Basu
our next speaker is... Niladri Basu

who we recruited from Canada based on his cutting-edge work on mercury
who we recruited from Canada based on his cutting-edge work on mercury

exposure in wildlife
exposure in wildlife

great so this
great so this

on the screen is actually the ancient alchemic symbol for mercury
on the screen is actually the ancient alchemic symbol for mercury

and if you look really careful at the symbol I think you can see the devil
and if you look really careful at the symbol I think you can see the devil

inside mercury
inside mercury

mercury really is a devilish substance I've been studying this chemical for about a
mercury really is a devilish substance I've been studying this chemical for about a

decade now
decade now

and in all of my readings and research it really has no biological role in our
and in all of my readings and research it really has no biological role in our

body
body

all the research we've done in my laboratory and in laboratory of my
all the research we've done in my laboratory and in laboratory of my

collaborators have shown quite clearly that mercury is toxic at very very low
collaborators have shown quite clearly that mercury is toxic at very very low

concentrations
concentrations

and mercury really is a devlish compound when it comes to public health
and mercury really is a devlish compound when it comes to public health

we find mercury in many products that we deem beneficial for public health
we find mercury in many products that we deem beneficial for public health

so for example dental amalgams those silver amalgams that some of you may have
so for example dental amalgams those silver amalgams that some of you may have

in your mouth they may contain up to fifty percent mercury by weight
in your mouth they may contain up to fifty percent mercury by weight

compact fluorescent light bulbs the swirly bulbs that we are told the purchase that
compact fluorescent light bulbs the swirly bulbs that we are told the purchase that

going to fix the energy crisis
going to fix the energy crisis

they each contain about five milligrams of mercury inside them
they each contain about five milligrams of mercury inside them

uh... childhood vaccines I won't even go there given all the hubbub about the
uh... childhood vaccines I won't even go there given all the hubbub about the

presence of mercury
presence of mercury

in childhood vaccines
in childhood vaccines

and perhaps the most important
and perhaps the most important

route by which you and i are exposed to mercury is fish
route by which you and i are exposed to mercury is fish

every single fish out their has mercury in it
every single fish out their has mercury in it

some fish have little mercury in it some fish have a lot mercury in it
some fish have little mercury in it some fish have a lot mercury in it

all fish have mercury in them
all fish have mercury in them

all fish also have beneficial nutrients in them
all fish also have beneficial nutrients in them

and that poses a major dilemma to public health do we eat the fish
and that poses a major dilemma to public health do we eat the fish

or don't we eat the fish?
or don't we eat the fish?

and it's with the presence of mercury in all of these
and it's with the presence of mercury in all of these

products
products

that we run a laboratory here at the University of Michigan.
that we run a laboratory here at the University of Michigan.

So I run a laboratory every winter semester in which we lecture to our
So I run a laboratory every winter semester in which we lecture to our

students the risks and benefits of mercury
students the risks and benefits of mercury

but also we teach them how to measure it in themselves.
but also we teach them how to measure it in themselves.

So in this example data compiled from the last two years of doing the lab
So in this example data compiled from the last two years of doing the lab

uh... with the students esentially do is they work in teams
uh... with the students esentially do is they work in teams

they snip each other's hair,
they snip each other's hair,

they process that hair they put it into machine that measures mercury in it.
they process that hair they put it into machine that measures mercury in it.

But then they also work to design a survey
But then they also work to design a survey

they ask each other how much fish they ate
they ask each other how much fish they ate

and what types of fish they ate and what you see quite clearly here is that
and what types of fish they ate and what you see quite clearly here is that

individuals that eat more fish also have more levels of mercury in the body and
individuals that eat more fish also have more levels of mercury in the body and

this has been so many many times again in research.
this has been so many many times again in research.

None of these levels are harmful at all these are
None of these levels are harmful at all these are

pretty low levels of mercury exposure but the point is here is that we have a
pretty low levels of mercury exposure but the point is here is that we have a

great
great

opportunity to our educational schemes to increase understanding of mercury through
opportunity to our educational schemes to increase understanding of mercury through

uh... through laboratory exercises.
uh... through laboratory exercises.

Now every year I try to join the students in this exercise
Now every year I try to join the students in this exercise

and last year when I did
and last year when I did

this is my value
this is my value

way up there.
way up there.

It's perplexing is much higher it's clearly much higher
It's perplexing is much higher it's clearly much higher

then those of the students.
then those of the students.

It's about five to ten times higher than the mercury levels I usually find
It's about five to ten times higher than the mercury levels I usually find

in my own body
in my own body

and this really perplexed me
and this really perplexed me

when I tried to explain this result by looking at the survey
when I tried to explain this result by looking at the survey

nothing on the survey could explain it
nothing on the survey could explain it

it wasn't tuna it wasn't shark it wasn't swordfish it was none of those.
it wasn't tuna it wasn't shark it wasn't swordfish it was none of those.

It was something else.
It was something else.

and that was the moment when I had a moment of surprise
and that was the moment when I had a moment of surprise

when I realized that a month before
when I realized that a month before

I was not here I was up here
I was not here I was up here

in the arctic
in the arctic

and we're up in the arctic doing research in Greenland studying
and we're up in the arctic doing research in Greenland studying

polar bears
polar bears

and we actually had an opportunity to eat
and we actually had an opportunity to eat

polar bears.
polar bears.

We also ate a variety of country foods such as rings seals
We also ate a variety of country foods such as rings seals

pilot whale and a whole range of fish in addition to the polar bear.
pilot whale and a whole range of fish in addition to the polar bear.

And the truth is that these are foods that have been consumed for centuries up in the
And the truth is that these are foods that have been consumed for centuries up in the

artic they are culturally appropriate foods
artic they are culturally appropriate foods

highly highly nutritious
highly highly nutritious

uh... spiritually... in a way that we can't comprehend down here
uh... spiritually... in a way that we can't comprehend down here

but the reality is is that these are some of the most polluted foods on the
but the reality is is that these are some of the most polluted foods on the

planet
planet

and it's an irony,
and it's an irony,

it's an irony because there is no mercury up there all the mercury that we release as I will show you
it's an irony because there is no mercury up there all the mercury that we release as I will show you

later comes from here.
later comes from here.

It gets dumped in the arctic where it builds up in the food chains
It gets dumped in the arctic where it builds up in the food chains

and contaminates the food.
and contaminates the food.

And this is the real basis for the research that we do up in the arctic.
And this is the real basis for the research that we do up in the arctic.

So I am a firm believer that when you do biology and when you do science you need to get out
So I am a firm believer that when you do biology and when you do science you need to get out

into the field you need to get dirty in your work and I've been doing work in the
into the field you need to get dirty in your work and I've been doing work in the

arctic for about a decade in the last few years we've taken great strides in
arctic for about a decade in the last few years we've taken great strides in

establishing an international field station
establishing an international field station

in central east Greenland which I show you on the map here
in central east Greenland which I show you on the map here

that's a satellite image taken of our fuel station in the summertime
that's a satellite image taken of our fuel station in the summertime

and here I encircle the field station which is called the Kap Tobin field station
and here I encircle the field station which is called the Kap Tobin field station

those formerly an abandoned school house which we converted into a field station
those formerly an abandoned school house which we converted into a field station

here's a better view of the fuel station
here's a better view of the fuel station

taken last year during our trip
taken last year during our trip

many nights were like this okay it was a spectacular place to work out of.
many nights were like this okay it was a spectacular place to work out of.

This is our team.
This is our team.

uh... a picture taken of the team during the day
uh... a picture taken of the team during the day

it was comprised of preeminent scientists not only from the U.S. and Canada but
it was comprised of preeminent scientists not only from the U.S. and Canada but

from Denmark and Norway
from Denmark and Norway

uh... and uh... again this is the team that was doing all the research
uh... and uh... again this is the team that was doing all the research

a lot of days looked like this thats the arctic
a lot of days looked like this thats the arctic

and if you look carefully in the background you can actually see the field
and if you look carefully in the background you can actually see the field

station just a couple meters away and in the foreground we have one of our intrepid
station just a couple meters away and in the foreground we have one of our intrepid

soldiers out running errands
soldiers out running errands

and it really the visibility was just a few meters and you don't know what's
and it really the visibility was just a few meters and you don't know what's

around the corner when the weather's looked like that. So it it was
around the corner when the weather's looked like that. So it it was

a little hairy at times being up there.
a little hairy at times being up there.

This is yours truly actually engaged in some discussions.
This is yours truly actually engaged in some discussions.

I did want to point out that in the background that's sea you can actually
I did want to point out that in the background that's sea you can actually

navigate through it and when the anecdotes we heard up there is that there is that
navigate through it and when the anecdotes we heard up there is that there is that

maybe five ten years ago
maybe five ten years ago

this was covered in ice.
this was covered in ice.

In the month of February this should be covered in ice and it's only been in the last
In the month of February this should be covered in ice and it's only been in the last

few years where local knowledge has told us
few years where local knowledge has told us

that they're seeing something change in the environment
that they're seeing something change in the environment

that all of a sudden all of this ice which has been here for centuries
that all of a sudden all of this ice which has been here for centuries

is now breaking apart and you can actually navigate boats through this water.
is now breaking apart and you can actually navigate boats through this water.

I show this picture just to come back that indigenous perspective and i just want to
I show this picture just to come back that indigenous perspective and i just want to

emphasize that this is really a community health project
emphasize that this is really a community health project

uh... it's not a project where us as scientists just go up to the arctic because it's
uh... it's not a project where us as scientists just go up to the arctic because it's

a cool thing to do.
a cool thing to do.

Rather
Rather

given what i told you earlier that we know that some of the most polluted
given what i told you earlier that we know that some of the most polluted

foodstuffs and polluted areas are up in the arctic
foodstuffs and polluted areas are up in the arctic

people up there have a great concern
people up there have a great concern

and in this case Inuit populations across the polE
and in this case Inuit populations across the polE

have expressed this concern scientists have been working with them over the last
have expressed this concern scientists have been working with them over the last

decade or so trying to make sense of ... So here we have
decade or so trying to make sense of ... So here we have

the local elder in the community
the local elder in the community

engaged in discussion with one of our senior scientistS.
engaged in discussion with one of our senior scientistS.

So again we work very closely with the local Inuit
So again we work very closely with the local Inuit

and this is one of the hunters that we were working with
and this is one of the hunters that we were working with

and if you look through the binoculars you'll see not one polar bear
and if you look through the binoculars you'll see not one polar bear

but three polar bears.
but three polar bears.

And here they are up close.
And here they are up close.

They're cute and we did not kill them.
They're cute and we did not kill them.

So one-mom and two cubs
So one-mom and two cubs

and in Greenland
and in Greenland

like many other parts of the north you cannot kill mom
like many other parts of the north you cannot kill mom

and cubs.
and cubs.

But with that being said
But with that being said

again polar bears have been hunted for centuries they've been hunted because they afford
again polar bears have been hunted for centuries they've been hunted because they afford

great food for people that live up there great shelter great apparel
great food for people that live up there great shelter great apparel

and because of that there is a quota
and because of that there is a quota

uh... male polar bears can be hunted
uh... male polar bears can be hunted

in Greenland east Greenland
in Greenland east Greenland

and that's what we're up there doing we weren't hunting ourselves we were
and that's what we're up there doing we weren't hunting ourselves we were

working with the local inuit hunters who are allowed to hunt.
working with the local inuit hunters who are allowed to hunt.

We are not allowed to hunt
We are not allowed to hunt

but what we can do is essentially serve as scanvengers at the
but what we can do is essentially serve as scanvengers at the

bequest of the inuit
bequest of the inuit

meaning that when they hunt the bear
meaning that when they hunt the bear

we go in and take a couple samples to assess issues such as what Dr Meeker
we go in and take a couple samples to assess issues such as what Dr Meeker

was talking about earlier - related exposure and some type of health outcome
was talking about earlier - related exposure and some type of health outcome

in this case were taking a blood sample from a polar bear and we'll use this blood
in this case were taking a blood sample from a polar bear and we'll use this blood

sample to figure out how much mercury is in that bears body and also what type of
sample to figure out how much mercury is in that bears body and also what type of

hormones are in that body, what other health impact that may be related to
hormones are in that body, what other health impact that may be related to

that mercury or other chemicals for example
that mercury or other chemicals for example

take a look at that blood sample.
take a look at that blood sample.

It's probably got a hundred times more mercury in it than you or I do.
It's probably got a hundred times more mercury in it than you or I do.

In fact if you
In fact if you

uh... survey Inuit - northern people, if you look at many
uh... survey Inuit - northern people, if you look at many

animals in the north
animals in the north

they likely have a hundred-
they likely have a hundred-

fold the amount of mercury in their bodies than we do it down here.
fold the amount of mercury in their bodies than we do it down here.

hundred years ago well a hundred years ago the artic was relatively clean.
hundred years ago well a hundred years ago the artic was relatively clean.

We've been able to do some sophisticated studies looking at archiveD museum
We've been able to do some sophisticated studies looking at archiveD museum

specimens and sediment cores
specimens and sediment cores

and look back at the situation in the eighteen-hundreds and found it to be
and look back at the situation in the eighteen-hundreds and found it to be

relatively clean.
relatively clean.

and it's really in the past one hundred years where we've seen this precipitous
and it's really in the past one hundred years where we've seen this precipitous

increase in the amount of mercury
increase in the amount of mercury

in the arctic
in the arctic

perhaps tenfold
perhaps tenfold

than it was in the eighteen hundreds.
than it was in the eighteen hundreds.

A hundred tons -
A hundred tons -

that's how much mercury we release as a society into the environment every one to two
that's how much mercury we release as a society into the environment every one to two

weeks. About a hundred tons
weeks. About a hundred tons

of mercury
of mercury

is going up into the air every one to two weeks
is going up into the air every one to two weeks

-
-

once that mercury gets inside your body it's probably going to stick around for a hundred
once that mercury gets inside your body it's probably going to stick around for a hundred

days if not much longer the half liFe of mercury is a hundred days
days if not much longer the half liFe of mercury is a hundred days

meaning that if you take in a little bit of mercury now a hundred days later there is
meaning that if you take in a little bit of mercury now a hundred days later there is

still going to be a substantial amount of mercury in your body
still going to be a substantial amount of mercury in your body

and then a hundred percent confidence
and then a hundred percent confidence

as scientists were told to be skeptical of our work but I think based on my own
as scientists were told to be skeptical of our work but I think based on my own

experience in the arctic
experience in the arctic

and based on some of these facts and results that we've collected or our collaborators have
and based on some of these facts and results that we've collected or our collaborators have

collected
collected

I'm pretty much a hundred percent sure that the issue of mercury pollution
I'm pretty much a hundred percent sure that the issue of mercury pollution

or just pollution at the poles
or just pollution at the poles

is really for real.
is really for real.

So what I want to do now is just to talk about some of the underlying
So what I want to do now is just to talk about some of the underlying

science and of course there many many questions and as a human society I think
science and of course there many many questions and as a human society I think

the first question is well who's to blame?
the first question is well who's to blame?

It's you and I
It's you and I

and about the seven billion other people on this planet because many of us not
and about the seven billion other people on this planet because many of us not

all of us the many of us live a very unsustainble lifestyle,
all of us the many of us live a very unsustainble lifestyle,

and to live this lifestyle we rely upon energy.
and to live this lifestyle we rely upon energy.

And most of the energy that we relay upon is nonrenewable. A lot of it in this
And most of the energy that we relay upon is nonrenewable. A lot of it in this

country especially comes from coal,
country especially comes from coal,

and if you think back to the fact that I told you earlier, a hundred tons of
and if you think back to the fact that I told you earlier, a hundred tons of

mercury
mercury

coming at every one to two weeks, a lot of that comes from coal.
coming at every one to two weeks, a lot of that comes from coal.

Every time you burn coal
Every time you burn coal

you not only release ... greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide into the environment
you not only release ... greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide into the environment

but you also release a fair amount of mercury into the environment too.
but you also release a fair amount of mercury into the environment too.

So then the next question how is that that the coal that we burn here in the
So then the next question how is that that the coal that we burn here in the

midwest
midwest

make it's way up into the arctic?
make it's way up into the arctic?

Well, there's this really neat process called global distillation,
Well, there's this really neat process called global distillation,

basically saying that chemicals like mercury that are volatile
basically saying that chemicals like mercury that are volatile

at the lower latitudes, that are a little bit warmer, once they get into the
at the lower latitudes, that are a little bit warmer, once they get into the

air
air

they're active... they can move around.
they're active... they can move around.

But the closer they get to the arctic or the closer they get to colder
But the closer they get to the arctic or the closer they get to colder

environments, they tend to slow down, they tend to move less
environments, they tend to slow down, they tend to move less

and ultimately they get deposited in the arctic landscapes,
and ultimately they get deposited in the arctic landscapes,

and they don't move again.
and they don't move again.

So that's why we often hear of the arctic as a sink for pollution once that
So that's why we often hear of the arctic as a sink for pollution once that

mercury gets there,
mercury gets there,

nce other pollutants get there they generally can't leave there.
nce other pollutants get there they generally can't leave there.

It's a sink for pollution.
It's a sink for pollution.

Once that chemical is there how is it that it makes its way up into the polar
Once that chemical is there how is it that it makes its way up into the polar

bear?
bear?

It's a very simple process known as trophic transfer,
It's a very simple process known as trophic transfer,

where we have small animals being predated upon larger animals ultimately
where we have small animals being predated upon larger animals ultimately

they get to the top of the food chain. So here is a very simple schematic from a report we
they get to the top of the food chain. So here is a very simple schematic from a report we

recently wrote
recently wrote

on the x axis going from left to right is increasing concentration of mercury, and
on the x axis going from left to right is increasing concentration of mercury, and

from the bottom of the top increasing trophic position,
from the bottom of the top increasing trophic position,

and clearly you can see that at the top of this food chain are the polar bears.
and clearly you can see that at the top of this food chain are the polar bears.

And in fact the concentrations of mercury in the tissues of these bears
And in fact the concentrations of mercury in the tissues of these bears

might be one million times greater
might be one million times greater

than the concentrations of mercury that we find in the air or the water in the
than the concentrations of mercury that we find in the air or the water in the

arctic,
arctic,

so there's this phenomenal biomagnification that occurs
so there's this phenomenal biomagnification that occurs

and then on top of this
and then on top of this

when you throw humans into the mix
when you throw humans into the mix

and we start consuming these upper level organisms
and we start consuming these upper level organisms

we're even exposed to that much more mercury.
we're even exposed to that much more mercury.

So again this is what really drives our work in the arctic
So again this is what really drives our work in the arctic

that there is no source of mercury in the arctic uh... but unfortunately
that there is no source of mercury in the arctic uh... but unfortunately

because of some chemistry
because of some chemistry

and some bio magnification processes
and some bio magnification processes

some of the most contaminated organisms and people live up in the arctic,
some of the most contaminated organisms and people live up in the arctic,

and if you think about it just carefully it really represents an issue of environmental
and if you think about it just carefully it really represents an issue of environmental

justice of the global level.
justice of the global level.

So with that being said that this is going to be my final slide
So with that being said that this is going to be my final slide

and I want to end off for the quote which is "We are the land and the land is us.
and I want to end off for the quote which is "We are the land and the land is us.

When our land and animals are poisoned so are we."
When our land and animals are poisoned so are we."

Well realize that a year ago I just came back from Greenland where I kind of ate
Well realize that a year ago I just came back from Greenland where I kind of ate

off the land for a month.
off the land for a month.

I had a couple meals of country food, not that much,
I had a couple meals of country food, not that much,

and my mercury levels increased five to tenfold,
and my mercury levels increased five to tenfold,

not to levels that are harmful but nonetheless they increased pretty substantially,
not to levels that are harmful but nonetheless they increased pretty substantially,

and you would think that me who's been studying mercury for a while
and you would think that me who's been studying mercury for a while

would know that if you're gonna go to a place like Greenland and eat country
would know that if you're gonna go to a place like Greenland and eat country

food that your mercury levels are going to spike.
food that your mercury levels are going to spike.

I've been studying mercury for a while, I sit on panels concerning mercury in the
I've been studying mercury for a while, I sit on panels concerning mercury in the

arctic, I've authored reports on this issue, so you think that i'd know this going in.
arctic, I've authored reports on this issue, so you think that i'd know this going in.

But I was stunned.
But I was stunned.

And it really was that moment surprise that really made the science hit home,
And it really was that moment surprise that really made the science hit home,

where science and my personal life came together
where science and my personal life came together

and uh... I think it's really important as a scientist to tell this to people.
and uh... I think it's really important as a scientist to tell this to people.

With that being said maybe I'll try to personalize this for you a little bit
With that being said maybe I'll try to personalize this for you a little bit

more too. So here we are in Michigan
more too. So here we are in Michigan

in the heart of the Great Lakes,
in the heart of the Great Lakes,

just realize that almost every single lake and river
just realize that almost every single lake and river

in Michigan and in the Great Lakes has a fish consumption advisory
in Michigan and in the Great Lakes has a fish consumption advisory

largely because of mercury
largely because of mercury

if we extend this to the country
if we extend this to the country

the U.S.
the U.S.

about half the lakes and rivers have fish consumption advisories because of mercury
about half the lakes and rivers have fish consumption advisories because of mercury

that's how ubiquitous of a problem this is
that's how ubiquitous of a problem this is

let's overlay this quote to this - we are the land
let's overlay this quote to this - we are the land

and when our land and animals are poisoned so are we - well if there's that much mercury out their
and when our land and animals are poisoned so are we - well if there's that much mercury out their

I'd bet that if you give me a blood sample I can measure mercury in it,
I'd bet that if you give me a blood sample I can measure mercury in it,

I can detect mercury in every single one of you got there.
I can detect mercury in every single one of you got there.

And on then on top of that there's been some compelling studies to show that one out
And on then on top of that there's been some compelling studies to show that one out

of every six women of childbearing age
of every six women of childbearing age

likely has levels of mercury in their body that might be damaging to their fetus.
likely has levels of mercury in their body that might be damaging to their fetus.

That's one out of every six in this country,
That's one out of every six in this country,

And if you look around here and start doing the math
And if you look around here and start doing the math

these are real lives being affected.
these are real lives being affected.

And then right now we hear a lot of it the economy in the economic downturn...
And then right now we hear a lot of it the economy in the economic downturn...

well, mercury also has an economic cost
well, mercury also has an economic cost

and there's been a conservative estimate that mercury pollution every single year in
and there's been a conservative estimate that mercury pollution every single year in

this country
this country

costs us eight to forty billion dollars.
costs us eight to forty billion dollars.

That's billion with a b.
That's billion with a b.

So the last thing I want to say may be a little more lighthearted and on a positive
So the last thing I want to say may be a little more lighthearted and on a positive

note [laughter].
note [laughter].

sometimes I've thought that
sometimes I've thought that

I shouldn't really be doing the work that I'm doing,
I shouldn't really be doing the work that I'm doing,

that I shouldn't have a job
that I shouldn't have a job

uh... everything we know that mercury says that mercury is not good
uh... everything we know that mercury says that mercury is not good

and in fact we have solutions.
and in fact we have solutions.

We have a lot of solutions whether they're technological solutions or behavioral,
We have a lot of solutions whether they're technological solutions or behavioral,

solutions do exist
solutions do exist

to mitigate this mercury issue. Unfortunately we need a little bit of
to mitigate this mercury issue. Unfortunately we need a little bit of

money and a lot of political willpower to make this happen
money and a lot of political willpower to make this happen

and their's been a lot of talk about solving this issue right now
and their's been a lot of talk about solving this issue right now

and hopefully in the next few years
and hopefully in the next few years

I'd like to remain in my job maybe be studying something different. Thank you.
I'd like to remain in my job maybe be studying something different. Thank you.