Saxitoxins Health Effects Systematic Literature Review to Support Efforts to Protect Public Health
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Background: Saxitoxins (STXs) are a class of algal toxins produced by various species of cyanobacteria and marine dinoflagellates that are a public health concern. Evidence links exposure to STX or one or more of its > 50 analogs through contaminated water or shellfish to adverse health effects in humans, including neurological toxicity and death. There is currently no US EPA regulatory standard or health-based value (e.g., health advisory, human health criteria) for this toxin group under the Clean Water Act or Safe Drinking Water Act. To address the public health concern, the US EPA undertook a systematic review of the literature on STXs to assess the available evidence for cancer and noncancer health effects.