A Review on Cadmium and Lead Contamination: Sources, Fate, Mechanism, Health Effects and Remediation Methods

Abstract

Cadmium and lead soil contamination is a widespread environmental problem that requires profound and sustainable solutions. These toxic elements can be naturally occurring on the Earth’s crust or from man-made origins. Cadmium and lead could accumulate and translocate in soil over the long term. Thus, their risk of entering the food chain is extremely elevated and their effects on the living organisms in the food web are of great concern. The main purpose of this review study is to emphasize the risk to human health of cadmium and lead as an environmental contaminant in soil and plants. Human exposure to cadmium and lead can cause severe illness; for instance, long-term exposure to cadmium can alter kidney health and cause dysfunction. Additionally, lead threatens the nervous system and causes countless diseases. Hence, the remediation of cadmium and lead from soil before they enter the food chain remains essential, and regular monitoring of their principal sources is crucially needed for a sustainable soil ecosystem.

Sanitary Investigation on Microbial and Heavy Metals of Grilled Fish Sold in the Night Street Market of Daloa (Ivory Coast)

“…Most of the cadmium accumulated by humans comes from agricultural activities (use of phosphate fertilizers rich in cadmium, spreading of waste sludge in market gardening areas) but also from industrial activities (zinc and lead metallurgy, etc.) [47]. Indeed, most of the vegetables used come from market gardening.…”

Investigating the effects of three trace metals on the viability, embryonic development, and locomotor behavior of the Seminole ramshorn snail at environmentally relevant concentrations

“…Atmospheric deposition of metals from metal smelting and fossil fuel incineration, as well as leachates from waste dumps and mines, poses threats to both terrestrial and aquatic environments (Hovmand et al, 2008; Xing et al, 2020). Average concentrations of cadmium in soil globally are around 0.36 mg/kg (Kubier et al, 2019) but occur in higher concentrations in areas impacted by related industries with concentrations as high as 171.72 mg/kg (Bouida et al, 2022). A study examining surface waters surrounding industrial areas found up to 0.74 mg/L of cadmium in samples obtained adjacent to a coal‐fired power station (Nalawade et al, 2012).…”

Interaction between blood cadmium and lead concentration and physical activity on hypertension from the Korean national health and nutrition examination survey in 2008–2013

“…Anthropogenic activities can produce heavy metals which can be environmental pollutants [ 1 ]. In addition, the general public may be exposed to naturally occurring heavy metals even if they are not occupationally exposed to heavy metals [ 2 ]. Heavy metals enter the body through means of air, water, and food and are absorbed [ 3 ].…”