PMID- 33354517 OWN - NLM STAT- MEDLINE DCOM- 20211015 LR - 20231110 IS - 2214-9996 (Electronic) IS - 2214-9996 (Linking) VI - 86 IP - 1 DP - 2020 Dec 3 TI - Human Health and Ocean Pollution. PG - 151 LID - 10.5334/aogh.2831 [doi] LID - 151 AB - BACKGROUND: Pollution - unwanted waste released to air, water, and land by human activity - is the largest environmental cause of disease in the world today. It is responsible for an estimated nine million premature deaths per year, enormous economic losses, erosion of human capital, and degradation of ecosystems. Ocean pollution is an important, but insufficiently recognized and inadequately controlled component of global pollution. It poses serious threats to human health and well-being. The nature and magnitude of these impacts are only beginning to be understood. GOALS: (1) Broadly examine the known and potential impacts of ocean pollution on human health. (2) Inform policy makers, government leaders, international organizations, civil society, and the global public of these threats. (3) Propose priorities for interventions to control and prevent pollution of the seas and safeguard human health. METHODS: Topic-focused reviews that examine the effects of ocean pollution on human health, identify gaps in knowledge, project future trends, and offer evidence-based guidance for effective intervention. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS: Pollution of the oceans is widespread, worsening, and in most countries poorly controlled. It is a complex mixture of toxic metals, plastics, manufactured chemicals, petroleum, urban and industrial wastes, pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceutical chemicals, agricultural runoff, and sewage. More than 80% arises from land-based sources. It reaches the oceans through rivers, runoff, atmospheric deposition and direct discharges. It is often heaviest near the coasts and most highly concentrated along the coasts of low- and middle-income countries. Plastic is a rapidly increasing and highly visible component of ocean pollution, and an estimated 10 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the seas each year. Mercury is the metal pollutant of greatest concern in the oceans; it is released from two main sources - coal combustion and small-scale gold mining. Global spread of industrialized agriculture with increasing use of chemical fertilizer leads to extension of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) to previously unaffected regions. Chemical pollutants are ubiquitous and contaminate seas and marine organisms from the high Arctic to the abyssal depths. ECOSYSTEM FINDINGS: Ocean pollution has multiple negative impacts on marine ecosystems, and these impacts are exacerbated by global climate change. Petroleum-based pollutants reduce photosynthesis in marine microorganisms that generate oxygen. Increasing absorption of carbon dioxide into the seas causes ocean acidification, which destroys coral reefs, impairs shellfish development, dissolves calcium-containing microorganisms at the base of the marine food web, and increases the toxicity of some pollutants. Plastic pollution threatens marine mammals, fish, and seabirds and accumulates in large mid-ocean gyres. It breaks down into microplastic and nanoplastic particles containing multiple manufactured chemicals that can enter the tissues of marine organisms, including species consumed by humans. Industrial releases, runoff, and sewage increase frequency and severity of HABs, bacterial pollution, and anti-microbial resistance. Pollution and sea surface warming are triggering poleward migration of dangerous pathogens such as the Vibrio species. Industrial discharges, pharmaceutical wastes, pesticides, and sewage contribute to global declines in fish stocks. HUMAN HEALTH FINDINGS: Methylmercury and PCBs are the ocean pollutants whose human health effects are best understood. Exposures of infants in utero to these pollutants through maternal consumption of contaminated seafood can damage developing brains, reduce IQ and increase children's risks for autism, ADHD and learning disorders. Adult exposures to methylmercury increase risks for cardiovascular disease and dementia. Manufactured chemicals - phthalates, bisphenol A, flame retardants, and perfluorinated chemicals, many of them released into the seas from plastic waste - can disrupt endocrine signaling, reduce male fertility, damage the nervous system, and increase risk of cancer. HABs produce potent toxins that accumulate in fish and shellfish. When ingested, these toxins can cause severe neurological impairment and rapid death. HAB toxins can also become airborne and cause respiratory disease. Pathogenic marine bacteria cause gastrointestinal diseases and deep wound infections. With climate change and increasing pollution, risk is high that Vibrio infections, including cholera, will increase in frequency and extend to new areas. All of the health impacts of ocean pollution fall disproportionately on vulnerable populations in the Global South - environmental injustice on a planetary scale. CONCLUSIONS: Ocean pollution is a global problem. It arises from multiple sources and crosses national boundaries. It is the consequence of reckless, shortsighted, and unsustainable exploitation of the earth's resources. It endangers marine ecosystems. It impedes the production of atmospheric oxygen. Its threats to human health are great and growing, but still incompletely understood. Its economic costs are only beginning to be counted.Ocean pollution can be prevented. Like all forms of pollution, ocean pollution can be controlled by deploying data-driven strategies based on law, policy, technology, and enforcement that target priority pollution sources. Many countries have used these tools to control air and water pollution and are now applying them to ocean pollution. Successes achieved to date demonstrate that broader control is feasible. Heavily polluted harbors have been cleaned, estuaries rejuvenated, and coral reefs restored.Prevention of ocean pollution creates many benefits. It boosts economies, increases tourism, helps restore fisheries, and improves human health and well-being. It advances the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). These benefits will last for centuries. RECOMMENDATIONS: World leaders who recognize the gravity of ocean pollution, acknowledge its growing dangers, engage civil society and the global public, and take bold, evidence-based action to stop pollution at source will be critical to preventing ocean pollution and safeguarding human health.Prevention of pollution from land-based sources is key. Eliminating coal combustion and banning all uses of mercury will reduce mercury pollution. Bans on single-use plastic and better management of plastic waste reduce plastic pollution. Bans on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have reduced pollution by PCBs and DDT. Control of industrial discharges, treatment of sewage, and reduced applications of fertilizers have mitigated coastal pollution and are reducing frequency of HABs. National, regional and international marine pollution control programs that are adequately funded and backed by strong enforcement have been shown to be effective. Robust monitoring is essential to track progress.Further interventions that hold great promise include wide-scale transition to renewable fuels; transition to a circular economy that creates little waste and focuses on equity rather than on endless growth; embracing the principles of green chemistry; and building scientific capacity in all countries.Designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) will safeguard critical ecosystems, protect vulnerable fish stocks, and enhance human health and well-being. Creation of MPAs is an important manifestation of national and international commitment to protecting the health of the seas. CI - Copyright: (c) 2020 The Author(s). FAU - Landrigan, Philip J AU - Landrigan PJ AD - Boston College, US. FAU - Stegeman, John J AU - Stegeman JJ AD - Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US. FAU - Fleming, Lora E AU - Fleming LE AD - European Centre for Environment and Human Health, GB. AD - University of Exeter Medical School, GB. FAU - Allemand, Denis AU - Allemand D AD - Centre Scientifique de Monaco, MC. FAU - Anderson, Donald M AU - Anderson DM AD - Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US. FAU - Backer, Lorraine C AU - Backer LC AD - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US. FAU - Brucker-Davis, Francoise AU - Brucker-Davis F AD - Universite Cote d'Azur, FR. AD - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Inserm, C3M, FR. FAU - Chevalier, Nicolas AU - Chevalier N AD - Universite Cote d'Azur, FR. AD - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Inserm, C3M, FR. FAU - Corra, Lilian AU - Corra L AD - International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), CH. AD - Health and Environment of the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), AR. FAU - Czerucka, Dorota AU - Czerucka D AD - Centre Scientifique de Monaco, MC. FAU - Bottein, Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui AU - Bottein MD AD - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, FR. AD - IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, University of Copenhagen, DK. AD - Ecotoxicologie et developpement durable expertise ECODD, Valbonne, FR. FAU - Demeneix, Barbara AU - Demeneix B AUID- ORCID: 0000-0003-4544-971X AD - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, FR. AD - Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, FR. FAU - Depledge, Michael AU - Depledge M AD - University of Exeter Medical School, GB. FAU - Deheyn, Dimitri D AU - Deheyn DD AD - Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, US. FAU - Dorman, Charles J AU - Dorman CJ AD - Trinity College Dublin, IE. FAU - Fenichel, Patrick AU - Fenichel P AD - Universite Cote d'Azur, FR. AD - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Inserm, C3M, FR. FAU - Fisher, Samantha AU - Fisher S AD - Boston College, US. FAU - Gaill, Francoise AU - Gaill F AD - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, FR. FAU - Galgani, Francois AU - Galgani F AD - Institut Francais de Recherche pour l'Exploitation des Mers, FR. FAU - Gaze, William H AU - Gaze WH AD - University of Exeter, GB. FAU - Giuliano, Laura AU - Giuliano L AD - CIESM The Mediterranean Science Commission, MC. FAU - Grandjean, Philippe AU - Grandjean P AD - Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US. FAU - Hahn, Mark E AU - Hahn ME AD - Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US. FAU - Hamdoun, Amro AU - Hamdoun A AD - University of California at San Diego, US. FAU - Hess, Philipp AU - Hess P AD - Institut Francais de Recherche pour l'Exploitation des Mers, FR. FAU - Judson, Bret AU - Judson B AD - Boston College, US. FAU - Laborde, Amalia AU - Laborde A AD - Universidad de la Republica, UY. FAU - McGlade, Jacqueline AU - McGlade J AD - Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London, GB. AD - Strathmore University Business School, Nairobi, KE. FAU - Mu, Jenna AU - Mu J AD - Boston College, US. FAU - Mustapha, Adetoun AU - Mustapha A AD - Nigerian Institute for Medical Research, Lagos, NG. AD - Imperial College London, GB. FAU - Neira, Maria AU - Neira M AD - World Health Organization, CH. FAU - Noble, Rachel T AU - Noble RT AD - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US. FAU - Pedrotti, Maria Luiza AU - Pedrotti ML AD - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, FR. AD - Sorbonne Universite, FR. FAU - Reddy, Christopher AU - Reddy C AD - Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US. FAU - Rocklov, Joacim AU - Rocklov J AD - Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umea University, Umea, SE. FAU - Scharler, Ursula M AU - Scharler UM AD - University of KwaZulu-Natal, ZA. FAU - Shanmugam, Hariharan AU - Shanmugam H AD - Boston College, US. FAU - Taghian, Gabriella AU - Taghian G AD - Boston College, US. FAU - van de Water, Jeroen A J M AU - van de Water JAJM AD - Centre Scientifique de Monaco, MC. FAU - Vezzulli, Luigi AU - Vezzulli L AD - University of Genoa, IT. FAU - Weihe, Pal AU - Weihe P AD - University of the Faroe Islands and Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, FO. FAU - Zeka, Ariana AU - Zeka A AD - Brunel University London, GB. FAU - Raps, Herve AU - Raps H AD - Centre Scientifique de Monaco, MC. AD - WHO Collaborating Centre for Health and Sustainable Development, MC. FAU - Rampal, Patrick AU - Rampal P AD - Centre Scientifique de Monaco, MC. AD - WHO Collaborating Centre for Health and Sustainable Development, MC. LA - eng GR - 001/WHO_/World Health Organization/International GR - P01 ES028938/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United States GR - P42 ES027706/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United States GR - R01 ES030318/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United States PT - Journal Article PT - Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural PT - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PT - Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. PT - Review DEP - 20201203 PL - United States TA - Ann Glob Health JT - Annals of global health JID - 101620864 RN - 0 (Plastics) SB - IM MH - Animals MH - *Ecosystem MH - Humans MH - Hydrogen-Ion Concentration MH - Male MH - Oceans and Seas MH - *Plastics MH - Seawater MH - Water Pollution/prevention & control PMC - PMC7731724 COIS- All authors declare no Conflict of Interest in regard to the work presented in this paper with the following exceptions. - Author William H. Gaze declares no conflict of interest although he has received co-funding for PhD studentships from AstraZeneca.- Author Philippe Grandjean has provided paid expert assistance in legal cases involving populations exposed to PFAS.- Author Barbara Demeneix is an inventor of "Transgenic clawed frog embryos and used as detectors of endocrine disruption in the environment", a French patent application filed in 2002 (n degrees FR0206669), that was extended through a PCT application filled in 2003. Applicants: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN). Inventors: B. Demeneix and N. Turque. The patent has been extended worldwide: France (2007), Japan (2011), United States (2013), Canada (2013) and Europe (2015). There has been no financial compensation for the patent. EDAT- 2020/12/24 06:00 MHDA- 2021/10/16 06:00 PMCR- 2020/12/03 CRDT- 2020/12/23 05:50 PHST- 2020/12/23 05:50 [entrez] PHST- 2020/12/24 06:00 [pubmed] PHST- 2021/10/16 06:00 [medline] PHST- 2020/12/03 00:00 [pmc-release] AID - 10.5334/aogh.2831 [doi] PST - epublish SO - Ann Glob Health. 2020 Dec 3;86(1):151. doi: 10.5334/aogh.2831.