Human exposure to heavy metals: toxicity mechanisms and health implications

Abstract

Human exposure to heavy metals is inevitable as heavy metals are continually present in air, water and food. Anthropogenic and industrial activities have rapidly increased the level of human exposure to heavy metals. Some heavy metals elicit deleterious health effects even at low levels in the body system. Every heavy metal has its own specific unique mechanistic process through which it exhibits toxicity. The major mechanisms through which most heavy metals such as Cr, As, Pb, Cu, Fe, Cd, Zn, Ni cause toxicity include the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibition of enzyme activities and attenuation of antioxidant defense systems. Heavy metal ions are known to interfere with DNA and nuclear proteins leading to DNA structural and functional impairments as well as changes that initiate carcinogenesis, apoptosis as well as modulation of cell cycle. Heavy metal toxicity alters the activity of the central nervous system, and thereby causes mental disorder, alters blood composition, and liver, kidneys, lungs functions as well as other important body organs, resulting in the escalation of assorted human diseases. Prolonged human exposure and accumulation of heavy metals in the body aggravate the progression of physical, muscular and neurological degenerative processes that mimic certain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Heavy metals mimic hormonal activities that alter the functions of the endocrine system. Thus, efforts must be made to mitigate the extent of human exposure and accumulation of heavy metals in the body as a result of anthropogenic and industrial activities in order to prevent incidences of deleterious health challenges.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Exposure in Soils of Ihwrekreka Communities, Delta State, Nigeria

“…These findings indicated that the release of Ni, Cr, and Cd from the oil-polluted site may pose a risk to human health and the environment, particularly if the concentrations of exposure are high (Lu & Wang, 2014b). Previous research has indicated that exposure to high concentrations of these metals can cause a series of adverse health impacts, including respiratory problems, neurological disorders, and cancer (Ohiagu et al, 2022;Budi et al, 2024). For example, the study by Lu and Wang (2014a) found that high levels of Ni in soil can lead to respiratory problems in humans, including asthma and bronchitis.…”

Evaluating the Renal Status of Wood Sawmill Workers Exposed to wood Dust: a Cross-sectional Study

“…Recovery trials and precision assessments were conducted to certify all instruments used for this study and further validate the digeston procedure. 15…”

“…This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Pentachlorophenol and cresoate contain heavy metals, including arsenic, chromium, nickel, and copper. 15 Arsenic (As) is the most dangerous, followed by lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), the seventh 8-10. Acute exposure to heavy metals is well known to have detrimental effects, including pulmonary inflammation, hepatic cell death, and renal and neurological damage. 11 Most of these heavy metals, along with the dust created during wood processing, are inhaled or unintentionally consumed by wood sawmill workers.…”

Pollution of Some Agricultural Soils by Heavy Metals in Kubaisa Iraqi Western Desert – A Case Study

“…Environmental pollution with heavy metals as a critical issue linked to food safety, has become a major global concern in recent years. These metals can have severe health implications for all living organisms, with particular relevance to human health when they accumulate in the body at high concentrations, as highlighted by (Ohiagu et al, 2022).…”