Although heavy metals, which are an integral component of the earth's crust, have existed in the world for hundreds of years in a unique cycle mechanism, their geochemical cycles and biochemical balances have changed drastically due to human activities increasing day by day.

The ever-increasing industrial activities of the last century have also resulted in an increase in people's direct or indirect exposure to heavy metals. Mercury, Lead, Chromium, Cadmium and Arsenic are in the top five of the most common heavy metals that cause human poisoning. The sources that provide heavy metals are actually not as far away as we think, we are closer to some of them than we think; welding shops, paints, pesticides, fuels...

When we look at the definition of heavy metal, we see that it refers to a subset of elements that exhibit metallic properties and are often defined by its infamous reputation. When this metal group enters the human body and begins to show negative effects there, it is defined as toxic and its name begins to turn into toxic metals.

Pollution of water, air and soil with heavy/toxic metals is an environmental problem and hundreds of millions of people around the world are affected every day. Somehow, these metals, which are unexpectedly mixed with any part of nature, leach from industrial plants and acid rain, causing environmental pollution.

There is no way to permanently get rid of these metals, which we define as heavy in nature and toxic in our bodies, but if we can review and improve their mixing mechanisms into nature, we can minimize the impact they have on us and maybe even eliminate them completely. For this, people from all parts of the society should make a joint effort and legislators should put human life in the forefront and make laws in accordance with the recommendations made on the basis of the findings obtained in the light of scientific data.

That's why I decided it would be good to publish a small booklet with clear information on metals that are alternately identified as heavy and toxic.

The Relationship Between Seafood and Heavy Metals document, which focuses on heavy metals that are most common in nature, is presented as an easy content to anyone who wants to better understand toxic metals and learn how to avoid them.

The titles in the Relationship Between Seafood and Heavy Metals document prepared by Aquaculture Engineer Kaan Ugrasız are as follows:

  • Overview of heavy metal toxicity
  • Relationships of heavy metals with the human body
  • The most well-known sources of heavy metals 
  • What are the diseases caused by heavy metals?
  • Who should avoid heavy metals?
  • How can we remove heavy metals from our body?
  • Heavy metal accumulation in seafood 
  • The relationship between aquaculture and heavy metals
  • Which seafood is safe to consume?
  • What seafood should you avoid?
  • How do you choose the right seafood?
  • Why is seafood healthy for babies?
  • Focus: Mercury intake during pregnancy and some effects of mercury
  • How can we protect ourselves from high amounts of heavy metals?
  • Seafood consumption while pregnant

Getting to know these substances, which are defined as heavy metals in nature and have a toxic effect when they enter the human body, is the starting point in regulating our relationship with these substances. This is the benchmark in the emergence of a small document containing clear information on metals that are alternately identified as heavy and toxic.

In the second part of the content, which focuses on the toxicity of heavy metals in its introduction, there is the relationship between seafood and heavy metals, which interests us more closely here. In addition to how heavy metals enter and accumulate in the species defined as seafood, a topic is devoted to the relationship between heavy metals and seafood obtained through aquaculture.

In conclusion, based on the previously published Guide to Seafood Consumption During Pregnancy, the interactions with heavy metals during pregnancy, which is one of the important stages in women's lives, and how to avoid them are included.

The Relationship Between Seafood and Heavy Metals document, which focuses on heavy metals that are most common in nature, is presented as an easy content to anyone who wants to better understand toxic metals and learn how to avoid them.

You can use the link below to download the document for free. 

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