Research Projects:Managing Environmental Risks to Food and Health Security in Asian Watersheds

kada Ryohei RIHN

yumoto Takakazu RIHN

matsuda Hiroyuki Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University

masunaga Shigeki Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University

kaneko Nobuhiro Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University

mizushima Shunsaku Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Yokohama City University,

galvez-tan, J. University of the Philippines at Manila, Medical School

ranola Roberto University of the Philippines at Los Banos, College of Agriculture

santos-borja, A.C. Lake Laguna Development Authority, Philippines

This study examines the sources, diffusion and impact of environmental contaminants in the Laguna Lake Watershed, Philippines. The Laguna Lake Watershed area is heavily but unevenly populated; it includes urban and industrial areas of Metro Manila, rural agricultural communities, and many areas undergoing land conversion. Drawing on the methods and insights of the natural, medical and social sciences, project researchers trace heavy metal and chemical pollutants from their sources through surrounding ecosystems and into the human food chain. Based on assessment of the impact of these contaminants on public health in several communities dependent on agriculture and marine food resources, the project will recommend socially and ecologically acceptable watershed management policies.

As it undergoes rapid economic development and urbanization, the Lake Laguna area faces three major challenges: pollution, disposal of solid waste, and maintaining food quality and nutrition as the foundation of public health. Addressing these challenges requires recognition of the interconnections between people and environment. Sustainable economic development in the region will depend on a healthy environment, especially for the people who are directly dependent on the Lake Laguna Watershed ecosystem.

This research project has four principal objectives. First, it documents the current levels of heavy metals (lead, mercury, and cadmium) in the aquatic resources of Lake Laguna, the routes of this pollution and its impact on public health. Second, it analyzes the presence of chemicals in agricultural fields and their impact on food production and relation to subsequent ecosystem deterioration. Third, it describes land-use change in Lake Laguna area and the impact of this change on groundwater level and water quality. Finally, it combines the social, medical and physical sciences in order to develop strategies of ecological risk management for sustainable food, health security and watershed planning in Southeast Asia.

Four research teams are organized and carry out research as follows: the Environmental Risk Analysis Team identifies the exact sources of particular pollutants and factors responsible for their presence in the food chain. The Health Risk Evaluation Team will collect data on nutrition, history of disease, and life expectancy in relation to socio-economic data. The Ecosystem Degradation Evaluation Team will use stable isotope and other analytical techniques to investigate how land use change is associated with downstream pollution. Finally, the Socio-Economic Evaluation Team will explore how both market - and nonmarket - based instruments can be used to improve water quality, food security and public health.