Heavy Metal Exposure through Seafood Consumption and Its Impact on Human Health

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments is a growing public health issue resulting from anthropogenic activities. Heavy metals such as lead (Pb) are toxic and persistent, and they can accumulate in the food chain through bioaccumulation and biomagnification. This study aims to analyze the relationship between seafood consumption and heavy metal exposure, and to assess their impact on human health. The method used was a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) by examining scientific articles published in the last five years and obtained from the Google Scholar database. The results of the review indicate that consumption of contaminated seafood is one of the primary routes of heavy metal exposure in humans. Chronic exposure to heavy metals can cause disorders in the nervous, hematological, and reproductive systems. The level of exposure risk is influenced by consumption frequency, the type of seafood, and the environmental conditions of the water. Additionally, individual factors such as nutritional status also play a role in determining the level of vulnerability to exposure. Therefore, efforts to control environmental pollution and public education are needed to reduce the risk of heavy metal exposure and protect human health sustainably.