The world's largest zinc mine is contaminating the subsistence foods of Alaska Native villages, according to a report the Alaska Community Action on Toxics released on Wednesday.

University of Massachusetts chemist analyzed the results from two studies of certain plants near the Red Dog mine. The report says the amount of lead and cadmium exceeds food-safety standards set by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Alaska Native villages near the mine have said the operation is harming the environment. The state was resisting an upgrade to pollution-fighting equipment at the mine but lost a case at the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Red Dog mine is owned by NANA Regional Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation, and operated by a third-party company.

Get the Story:
Report: Metals taint food near mine (The Anchorage Daily News 6/10)
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Get the Report:
Red Dog and Subsistence: Analysis of Reports on Elevated Levels of Heavy Metals in Plants Used for Subsistence Near Red Dog Mine, Alaska (June 9, 2004)

Relevant Links:
Alaska Community Action on Toxics - http://www.akaction.org

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