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Useful human health indicators for the MAR region

as endocrine disruptors or otherwise affecting the

include the occurrence of cholera, which is associated

hormonal system. These same endocrine disruptors

with human sewage contamination that also affects

are now being linked to disruptions in wildlife, such

the reef. In addition, ciguatera fish poisoning -- the

as the feminization of male alligators in Florida lakes,

most common marine toxin disease reported in

or gastropods in the Caribbean. A major constraint in

the world -- results from eating reef fish such as

studying similar effects in the Mesoamerican region

barracuda, snapper, and grouper that have ingested

is the lack of systematic recording of such illnesses

toxins produced by marine microalgae (dinoflagellates),

and defects.

and may be linked to physical disturbance of the reef

The indicators selected to track human health are:

(such as dredging, blasting and breaking of corals).

SW1

Contaminants in Breast Milk

Some illnesses related to women's reproductive

health (such as molar pregnancies, or fibroids

SW2

Safe Water and Sanitation

and tumors on reproductive organs) are a growing

concern in the MAR and may be linked to toxins acting

SW3

Cholera and Other Diseases

WWF-Canon / Nigel DICKINSON

SW

SW

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