Design and implementation of an epidemiological study for the characterization of potential pathway human exposure in a contaminated estuary environment

Sado estuary is located in the west coast of Portugal. Previous environmental studies identified industrial contamination, non-point anthropogenic sources and contamination coming from the river, all promoting accumulation of polluted sediments with known impacts on the ecological system. Surrounding small village human population have intense economic fishery activities. Together with agriculture, estuary fishing products are available to local residents. Food usage previously characterized through ethnographic studies suggests exposure to estuarine products, farming products, and water in daily activities, as potential routes of contamination. Few epidemiologic studies have been conducted to study associations of environmental contamination and health effects in Portugal. No epidemiological study has been identified in this particular geographical area. BACKGROUND