RT Report
T1 Aquatic (Marine and Freshwater) Biotoxins: Environmental Health Criteria 37
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
A1 World Health Organization, 
A1 International Labour Organisation, 
K1 environmental health
K1 aquatic ecology
K1 shellfish
K1 chemical
K1 toxic substance
K1 marine pollution
K1 freshwater ecosystem
K1 marine environment
SN 92 4 154097 4
YR 1984
FD 1984
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29334
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29334
NO This document deals with outbreaks of certain human diseases associated with human exposure to compounds produced by algae. Predators feeding on the algae become contaminated by these compounds which, in this way, enter the human food chain. Diseases such as paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), ciguatera, and the more recently identified syndromes, neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) and diarrhoeic shellfish poisoning (DSP), are discussed in the document as well as the evidence of their association with dinoflagellate toxins present in human food. Tetrodotoxin intoxication (putterfish poisoning) is discussed because the compound, which is produced by certain fish in various areas of the world, has a similar action to that of saxitoxin, one of the main components causing PSP. Direct dermal contact with toxins ' from a marine cyanophyte causes a particular type of acute dermatitis, observed in certain areas of the world. No human disease has been identified as being a result of exposure to toxins from freshwater cyanophytes. However, this topic has been included in the review for completeness.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 21, 2026