From Fish to Humans: The Effects of Lead Toxicity on Human Health
We have seen in this post ( https://www.reddit.com/r/AlgerianAquaLife/s/tdZrMzjeb9 ) how hight is Lead concentration in Oued El Harrache (100 time higher that the WHO -World Health Organization- standards). But why is it concerning? And how would it impact the human health?
Lead is a highly toxic metal. It's found in all components of the environment—biotic and abiotic (meaning living and non-living components). Its use for industrial and domestic purposes has significantly increased. If not controlled properly, it will end up in the environment, posing serious risks to both animal and human health.
Fish can transfer lead toxicity to humans through consumption. Over time, fish accumulate this heavy metal into their system via a phenomenon called "bioaccumulation". You will find this word all over aquatic biotoxycology literature.
Studies have shown lead exposure contributes to:
Systemic Disorders (affect multiple organs/systems): Respiratory, neurologic, digestive, cardiovascular, and urinary diseases.
Acute and Chronic Health Effects: Hypertension, anemia, cognitive deficits, infertility, immune imbalances, delayed skeletal and dental development, vitamin D deficiency, and gastrointestinal problems.
That's why, I think, we should not eat anything that was caught too close to that river.
But here a new question arises: we know that the sea has a dilution effect on contaminants coming from rivers. What is the distance from the shore at which the contaminants are diluted enough for their concentration to reach safer levels?
This is a question to be answered in another post.
Reference:
- Sarkar, O., Dey, K. K., Islam, S., & Chattopadhyay, A. (2022). Lead and aquatic ecosystems, biomarkers, and implications for humankind. In Biomarkers in Toxicology (pp. 1-28). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
We have seen in this post ( https://www.reddit.com/r/AlgerianAquaLife/s/tdZrMzjeb9 ) how hight is Lead concentration in Oued El Harrache (100 time higher that the WHO -World Health Organization- standards). But why is it concerning? And how would it impact the human health?
Lead is a highly toxic metal. It's found in all components of the environment—biotic and abiotic (meaning living and non-living components). Its use for industrial and domestic purposes has significantly increased. If not controlled properly, it will end up in the environment, posing serious risks to both animal and human health.
Fish can transfer lead toxicity to humans through consumption. Over time, fish accumulate this heavy metal into their system via a phenomenon called "bioaccumulation". You will find this word all over aquatic biotoxycology literature.
Studies have shown lead exposure contributes to:
Systemic Disorders (affect multiple organs/systems): Respiratory, neurologic, digestive, cardiovascular, and urinary diseases.
Acute and Chronic Health Effects: Hypertension, anemia, cognitive deficits, infertility, immune imbalances, delayed skeletal and dental development, vitamin D deficiency, and gastrointestinal problems.
That's why, I think, we should not eat anything that was caught too close to that river.
But here a new question arises: we know that the sea has a dilution effect on contaminants coming from rivers. What is the distance from the shore at which the contaminants are diluted enough for their concentration to reach safer levels?
This is a question to be answered in another post.
Reference:
- Sarkar, O., Dey, K. K., Islam, S., & Chattopadhyay, A. (2022). Lead and aquatic ecosystems, biomarkers, and implications for humankind. In Biomarkers in Toxicology (pp. 1-28). Cham: Springer International Publishing.