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Review
. 2019 Jan 1:2019:2345283.
doi: 10.1155/2019/2345283. eCollection 2019.

Environmental Chemical Contaminants in Food: Review of a Global Problem

Lesa A Thompson  1 , Wageh S Darwish  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Environmental Chemical Contaminants in Food: Review of a Global Problem

Lesa A Thompson et al. J Toxicol. .

Abstract

Contamination by chemicals from the environment is a major global food safety issue, posing a serious threat to human health. These chemicals belong to many groups, including metals/metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), radioactive elements, electronic waste, plastics, and nanoparticles. Some of these occur naturally in the environment, whilst others are produced from anthropogenic sources. They may contaminate our food-crops, livestock, and seafood-and drinking water and exert adverse effects on our health. It is important to perform assessments of the associated potential risks. Monitoring contamination levels, enactment of control measures including remediation, and consideration of sociopolitical implications are vital to provide safer food globally.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sources of environmental contaminants in human foods.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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