Fish addiction tell us about environment and health

I am always fascinated by the work of various researchers who analyze the toxic / drug found in our waterways.

The presence of drugs in trace amounts in water has been demonstrated by numerous studies. If the ecological impact is established, the health impact to humans, yet little known, is inseparable from that associated with exposure to multiple pollutants. Faced with this emerging risk, regulatory measures appear insufficient.

From the Journal of Environmental

untitledCette times, trout drugged with antidepressants us that these drugs leave their mark in their livers and brains. Oh, they do not complain, they have seen others, and the worst (click the image against, source: National Geographic).

As you read this article, I see once again that the independent research raises troubling questions. IGNORE it admits the long-term health of fish ... but there is an impact on their brain activity.

Reassuring ?!?!?!

Despite their reassurances, the scientists did not convince me of the innocence of these results. To believe them, there would be no problem for human health.

However, various toxic chemicals / pharmaceuticals endless build up in our waterways. When it is not industrial waste and domestic programs that are fluoridated drinking water, according to some panacea, poison for others.
St. Lawrence River - Fish addicted to Prozac

MONTREAL - The fish splashing in the St. Lawrence around the city are addicted to antidepressants and this has consequences for their brain activity, according to researchers at the University of Montreal.

The team of scientists led by Professor Sébastien Sauvé, Department of Chemistry, found traces of drugs in the liver and brain of trout exposed to river water.

The researchers also noted a reduction in brain activity of trout put in contact with water contaminated with antidepressants. It is unclear what effect this will have on their long-term health.

"We know that antidepressants have harmful side effects on humans but we do not know exactly how these chemicals affect not only fish on the St. Lawrence ecosystem," said Professor Sauvé Friday.

The chemist wants but reassuring with respect to humans. The concentration of drugs in the water is too low to harm the health of a person. Sauvé says, in effect it is equivalent to a grain of salt in an Olympic pool. "Drinking two liters of water a day for 70 years would allow us to accumulate a dose equivalent to one tablet," he said.

An estimated quarter of Montrealers took antidepressants like Prozac. However, the water treatment system such as the City can not eliminate them.

The research findings should raise interest internationally, as most large cities have water treatment systems similar to that of Montreal.

Researchers at the University of Montreal intend to continue their work, particularly to assess the subtle effects of antidepressants on fish.

The research results were published earlier this month on the website Chemosphere.

Source - St. Lawrence River: fish addicted to Prozac - January 21, 2011

Posted in: Diet plans