Northern (Arctic) Federal University researchers to study the health of Arctic residents
© RIA Novosti. Evgeniy Biyatov

Northern (Arctic) Federal University researchers to study the health of Arctic residents

Lomonosov Northern (Arctic) Federal University researchers are planning an expedition to study changes in the health of the local population over the last 10 years, the university press service reported.

"We have blood samples from the indigenous people in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area and we plan to analyze the content of heavy metals. This year we are also planning a large expedition to the Chukotka and Nenets autonomous areas, where we will take samples of blood, milk teeth and hair. By the end of 2018 we plan to receive the first test results," the report reads.

The university reported that isolated health exams in the Arctic were last held about ten years ago. The current study will make it possible to identify changes in the health of the indigenous Artic people and the condition of the environment over the past ten years.

In addition, the university researchers will conduct an analysis of Arctic fish and bird eggs that are part of the local diet in order to find pollution or toxins that negatively affect health.

According to Nikita Sobolev, a junior researcher at the laboratory, eggs and shells can contain many harmful substances that birds eat from areas polluted with heavy metals and pesticides. As a result of seasonal migration these pollutants can be transferred to the Arctic where the birds nest and lay eggs.