CONTAMINATION OF MERCURY IN FISH AND ITS TOXICITY TO BOTH FISH AND HUMANS: AN OVERVIEW
Journal Title: International Research Journal of Pharmacy (IRJP) - Year 2012, Vol 3, Issue 11
Abstract
Heavy metals are considered the most important form of pollution of the aquatic environment because of their toxicity and accumulation by marine organisms. The fish may be more greatly affected by anthropogenic pollution sources. Fish are highly exposed from the heavy metals, like mercury (Hg), leading to severe toxicity, both in the fish and human beings. The fish accumulate substantial concentrations of Hg in their tissues, and thus the fish are the single largest sources of Hg for humans through fish eating. The organic forms of Hg (e.g., methyl Hg) are more toxic than the inorganic forms due to ease of absorption into the human system. Communities that relied on fish intake for daily nutrient sustenance may be at risk from chronic, high exposure to methyl Hg, as well as other persistent organic environmental pollutants. The organic Hg compounds are most toxic to central nervous system (CNS), and may also affect the kidneys and immune system. The main symptoms of Hg poisoning in humans include kidney damage, disruption of nervous system, damage to brain functions, DNA and chromosomal damage, allergic reactions, sperm damage, birth defects, and miscarriages. The greater concern for Hg exposure is not to adult human, but to developing foetus. The methyl Hg content of fish varies by species and size of the fish as well as harvest location. The FDA level of concern for Hg in fish is 1 ppm. The fish with levels higher than this should probably be avoided by everyone.
Authors and Affiliations
Govind Pandey, S. Madhuri , A. B. Shrivastav
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP161383
- DOI -
- Views 117
- Downloads 0
A REVIEW ON PULSATILE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM
Pulsatile Drug Delivery Systems are gaining a lot of interest as they deliver the drug at the right place at the right time and in the right amount, thus providing spatial and temporal delivery and increasing patient com...
NUTRITIONAL AND ANTIOXIDANT EVALUATION OF EARTHWORM POWDER (Eudrillus euginae)
Studies have been made to understand the nutritional, aminoacids and antioxidant concentrations in the dried powder of Eudrillus euginae, an African soil dweller. The nutritional factors such as carbohydrate, glucose, to...
IATROGENIC SCIATIC NERVE INJURIES FOLLOWING GLUTEAL INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION AMONG CHILDREN
The objective of this is to provide an overview of iatrogenic sciatic nerve injuries following gluteal IM injection, to determine predisposing factors and the outcome of a conservative treatment of patients with the aim...
PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY OF RHEUM EMODI
Preliminary phytochemical investigation of aqueous and methanolic rhizome extracts of Rheum emodi followed by their TLC profiling were carried out. Phytochemical analysis reveals the presence of diverse groups of phytoc...
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SESBANIA GRANDIFLORA (L.) PERS .
Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers is a plant that is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of cold,fever, stomach disorder, diarrhea and jaundice and as skin cleanser. To evaluate the scientific basis for the use o...