Could the Health Decline of Prehistoric California Indians be Related to Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) from Natural Bitumen? | Zendy

Sebastian K.T.S. Wärmländer | Zendy; Sabrina B. Sholts | Zendy; Jon M. Erlandson | Zendy; Thor Gjerdrum | Zendy; Roger Westerholm | Zendy

Open Access

Could the Health Decline of Prehistoric California Indians be Related to Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) from Natural Bitumen?

Author(s) -

Sebastian K.T.S. Wärmländer,

Sabrina B. Sholts,

Jon M. Erlandson,

Thor Gjerdrum,

Roger Westerholm

Publication year - 2011

Publication title -

environmental health perspectives

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 2.257

H-Index - 282

eISSN - 1552-9924

pISSN - 0091-6765

DOI - 10.1289/ehp.1103478

Subject(s) - prehistory , human health , asphalt , natural (archaeology) , population , china , archaeology , geography , environmental health , medicine

The negative health effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well established for modern human populations but have so far not been studied in prehistoric contexts. PAHs are the main component of fossil bitumen, a naturally occurring material used by past societies such as the Chumash Indians in California as an adhesive, as a waterproofing agent, and for medicinal purposes. The rich archaeological and ethnohistoric record of the coastal Chumash suggests that they were exposed to multiple uptake pathways of bituminous PAHs, including direct contact, fume inhalation, and oral uptake from contaminated water and seafood.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.

Having issues? You can contact us here

Accelerating Research