The Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees community in Oklahoma, concerned about mercury exposure from local fish, partnered with researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The study found that only 4% of tested fish had mercury levels above EPA guidelines, and 95% of participants had hair mercury levels within safe limits.
Community involvement included collecting fish samples, providing hair samples, completing food questionnaires, and attending events. The research highlighted the watershed’s pollution sources and educated residents on safe fishing practices. Participants received personalized results and resources on mercury exposure.
Outcomes included promoting safer fish consumption, influencing dietary choices among residents, and supplying data for state environmental guidelines. Challenges arose in data collection and effective communication of risks while encouraging local fish consumption. The study produced a baseline for future evaluations of contaminants without systematically varying fish samples from the watershed.
Contacts include Dr. Laurel Schaider and Rebecca Jim from L.E.A.D. Agency.
