Heavy metals and dangerous chemicals are poisoning our seas

Pollutants in the sea water and endanger human and animal

The increasing pollution of power to our seas not Stop. A recent report suggests that metals and a mixture of dangerous chemicals that poison difficult the seas of Europe, where more than three-quarters of the studied areas are already contaminated. In the sea occurring toxic substances not only endanger the health of the animals living there, but also the health of us humans.

In a study of the European Environment Agency (EEA), it was found that large parts of our oceans are contaminated with toxic heavy metals and dangerous chemicals. The EEA published a report on this topic.

The Baltic sea is polluted most

The most affected sea was according to the study, the Baltic sea, in the 96% of the assessed areas had, according to the European Environment Agency problematic levels of pollutants. Similar problems have also been detected in 91 percent of the Black sea and 87 per cent of the Mediterranean. In addition, the Atlantic ocean, were also found in the North-East in 75 percent of the studied areas unsafe concentrations of chemicals or metals. In most areas the Situation has improved in the last few years, because many of the toxic substances that were flushed in the oceans, such as the pesticide DDT and heavy metals such as Cadmium and mercury, now banned or severely restricted. Thus, the improvement in the breeding success of the white-tailed eagle in the Baltic sea Region is due, according to the research on the decline of DDT.

The impact of many chemicals on the environment are not known

Another persistent Problem is the so-called flame-retardant chemicals, which are found in the oceans, however, are. In addition, DDT penetrates straight out of Africa in the sea. That is why environmentalists are calling for greater control of the global Chemical usage and a better Monitoring of the seas. The people need to be vigilant against potential and existing contamination. People produce every day, new chemicals and many of the effects on the environment are not known, explain the researchers. New drugs are developed and get into the wastewater. This is a serious emerging Problem, so far, remain still unclear how this will exactly affect.

Effects on the fertility of men?

In Germany, young men produce, for example, only a third of sperm that men produced there, 30 years ago. “It remains difficult to find a causal connection between specific contaminants and the reduction in fertility demonstrated. Results from animal experiments and human health suggest, however, that the presence of endocrine disruption in the environment, such as PCBS, in part, for this reduction in fertility responsible,“ explained the main author of the report, Johnny Reker European Environment Agency, in a press release. Despite the closure of many systems and technologies for the reduction of mercury emissions of mercury from coal-fired power plants continues to contaminate the oceans of Europe. Such contaminants don’t just disappear without a trace, if you go into the sea, adds the expert.

Dioxin in the Baltic sea accumulates in fish

In addition, Dioxin in the waters of the Baltic sea was found, where it accumulates, particularly in fatty fish such as salmon and herring. Pregnant women are advised not to take such food at all, or at least to reduce the consumption of highly, because Dioxin limit, for example, the growth, cause cancer, and the immune system can affect. Also in art used phthalates, which can act as endocrine disruptors, substances have already been found in the Baltic and in the Atlantic ocean. Our oceans are polluted on a daily basis by a large number of chemicals and heavy metals, the people should take urgent counter-measures before it is too late. (as)