This presentation will guide you that how heavy toxic metals are accumulated in animals and then transfers to human beings with acute diseases.

1. Mr. Muhammad
Ullah Afridi

2. Bioaccumulation
• Bioaccumulation is the “build-up of
chemicals in living organisms”.
• The chemical accumulates because it does
not break down easily (decomposers can’t
break them down)
• The chemicals get stored in fat-cells of
organisms and can cause serious problems...
NOTE: Accumulation is measured in parts per million (ppm)

3. Bioaccumulation is essentially the buildup of contaminants
such as heavy metals or pesticides in living organisms. Aquatic
organisms are often subject to bioaccumulation because they
absorb contaminants from the water around them faster thantheir
bodies are able to excrete them.
Humans are also subject to bioaccumulation, either from
consuming contaminated aquatic organisms or from exposure to
contaminants in our food, air, or water. Heavy metalsdo
not biodegrade, which means they can last for a long time in our
bodies.
What is Bioaccumulation?

5. Effect of heavy metals on aquatic life:
• Fish is high in omega-3 and protein that the human body needs to stay
healthy. However, potentially dangerous heavy metals are absorbed
into the body tissues of fish that are transferred to humans on
consumption of this affected fish.
• Good quality of food for human consumption can only be produced in an
environment free from contamination and pollution. Fish are of great
economic importance, but are affected immensely by various chemicals
including heavy metals directly or indirectly in different ways.

6. Effect of varying concentrations of heavy metal salts on
normal blood cells of fish Labeo rohita exposed for 15, 30
and 45 days was studied. Following physiological changes
in the fish were observed:
Cell membrane may be wrinkled, damaged or totally
destroyed.
Nucleus of the cell may be damaged.
Nucleus may shift in position.
Size of nucleus may be reduced or may be enlarged.
Nucleus may be totally destroyed.
Vacillation is observed inside the cell

7. Cell membrane wrinkled and damaged.Nucleus shift in position.
Vacillation is observed inside the cell. Normal blood smears of fish Labeo rohita

8. • Unfortunately, heavy metals can have serious health
effects for humans.
• Many play a role in cancer development or cause
internal organ damage, even at low concentrations.
• Cadmium, cobalt, lead, nickel, and mercury are also
known to affect the formation of blood cells–the metals
can react with the surface of the cells, making them less
elastic and therefore less able to circulate throughout the
body.
Health Effects of Heavy Metals:

9. • How it affects organisms:
– Birth defects
– Failure to reproduce
• Amphibians live on both land and in the water.
– Amphibians are sensitive to chemical changes in the
environment and are valuable indicators of environmental
health.
– Sincethe 1980s,many of the world’s amphibianspecies have
suffered declines in population.
– There also have been alarming increases in amphibian birth
deformities.

10. Mercury
Mercury is known to cause brain damage in developing
children, and if you’re pregnant, it can cause birth defects or
possibly a miscarriage. Methyl mercury compounds are also known
to cause cancer. There is a deep concern aboutmercury exposure
through predatory fish such as tuna
Lead
Lead is particularly harmful for children. It is structurally
similar to calcium and can therefore replace calcium in the
growing bones of children. Once the child is grown, the lead can
release into the body and cause brain and nerve damage.

11. Lead can also cause anemia, reproductive issues, and renal
impairment. People are usually exposed to lead through contaminated
food or water, or in the case of children, from ingesting objects with
lead paint. Lead can be expelled at very low levels, but at high or
continuous doses, lead bio accumulates inthe body.
Cadmium
Cadmium remains in human bodies for decades, and long-term exposure
is linked to renal dysfunction. A high concentration exposure can also
lead to bone defects and lung disease, which may eventually become
lung cancer. People can be exposed to cadmium not only through food
and water, but also from tobacco in cigarettes.

12. Arsenic
Arsenic is technically considered a metalloid, but acts like a heavy
metal in its toxicology. Arsenic exposure can causebreathing problems,
lung and skin cancer, decreased IQ, nervous system issues, and even
death at high levels.
Arsenic easily enters ground water and soils from natural
sources and industrial operations. Some crops can uptakearsenic after
irrigation or from the soil, an example being rice, leading to exposure
through food.

13. How to Reduce Exposure of heavy metals
Though these health effects may seem frightening, there are a
few simple ways to reduce your exposure to heavy metals and
protect your health! A few include:
1. Avoid certain fish such as king marckered,marlin,tilefish
2. Stop smoking tobacco
3. Minimize rice consumption.
4. Read medicine labels.
5. Be aware of lead pipes & filter your water

14. Thanks giving to all