Table 2 Examples of microbial and chemical contaminants found in oceans that pose health risks to humans, possible sources of the contaminants, and typical symptoms or the disease induced by exposure to the contaminant.
From: Linking the oceans to public health: current efforts and future directions
Contaminant | Possible source | Symptoms or disease |
|---|---|---|
Vibrio cholera | Human sanitary waste | Cholera |
Norwalk Virus | Human sanitary waste | Gastroenteritis |
Mercury | Burning coal, industrial use | Neurodevelopmental toxicity, adult toxicity |
Persistent organic pollutants | Industrial waste | Immunologic, cancer, reproductive |