Potential Harmful Effects of Heavy Metals As a Toxic and Carcinogenic Agent in Marine Food-An Overview Publisher



Negahdari S¹ ; Sabaghan M² ; Pirhadi M³ ; Alikord M³ ; Sadighara P³ ; Darvishi M^{4, 5} ; Nazer M⁶ Show Affiliations
Source: Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Science(Egypt) Published:2021

Abstract

THE survival of organisms is threatened with a variety of pollutants and chemical compounds and population growth. Natural phenomena and human activities, especially industrial activities increase contamination of water, soil and air. Population growth leads to increased exploitation of the sea and oceans, thus the consumption of seafood increases. In addition, the main food of the people in some areas is fish. Consumption of fish has numerous benefits to healthy for humans, but the existence of some heavy metals including lead, cadmium, and etc. may cause toxicity to marine organisms. The degree of heavy metal toxicity depends on their chemical form of metals. Some forms of metals are rapidly excreted and do not have the opportunity to be absorbed and stored in body tissues, accordingly they are not very toxic, while some forms of metals are highly toxic and lethal. These forms are slowly excreted from metals and have the ability to be absorbed and accumulated in fish muscles and other organs. Heavy metals cause harmful effects such as carcinogenesis, malformations, damage to the nervous system, damage to the reproductive system and infertility in men, liver failure and cardiovascular disease and so on. Therefore, in this review focused on concentration of heavy metals in fish muscle is essential to ensure the safety of this type of food. ©2021 National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC)