Heavy metal toxicity of drinking water: A silent killer

Abstract

Heavy metal toxicity has proven to be a major threat and there are several health risks associated with it. The toxic effects of these metals, even though they do not have any biological role, remain present in some or the other form harmful for the human body and its proper functioning. Heavy metals are generally referred to as those metals which possess a specific density of more than 5 g/cm3 and adversely affect the environment and living organisms. These metals are essential to maintain various biochemical and physiological functions in living organisms when in very low concentrations, however they become noxious when they exceed certain threshold concentrations. The most commonly found heavy metals in waste water include arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and copper, lead, nickel, and zinc, all of which cause risks for human health and the environment. Heavy metals enter the surroundings by natural means and through human activities. Various sources of heavy metals include soil erosion, natural weathering of the earth's crust, mining, industrial effluents, urban runoff, sewage discharge, insect or disease control agents applied to crops etc. Some heavy metals, i.e. arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, aluminium causes drastic harmful effect on the environment and living organisms, mainly human beings.

Exploring Aluminum Tolerance Mechanisms in Crops: A Comprehensive Review of Genetic, Metabolic, and Physiological Adaptations in Acidic Soils

“…These activities release various toxic molecular forms of Al, posing significant threats to both the environment and plant life. Sources of these toxic forms include the processing of ores, the use of fertilizers and herbicides, and the disposal of solid wastes such as sewage sludge and alloy emissions from different industries [21]. A key indicator of Al toxicity in plant cells is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).…”

Public Health Implications of Household Water Sources in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. A Case Study

“…Household water sources can be vulnerable to heavy metal contamination due to natural weathering of rocks and some anthropogenic activities such as mining, industrial discharges, and improper waste disposal (Akhtar et al 2021). Pb is a toxic heavy metal that can contaminate household water sources through improper waste disposal and industrial activities as well as weathering of parent rocks (Dahiya 2022). Exposure to Pb in drinking water can result in neurological and developmental issues, especially in children.…”

Health risk assessment for consuming rice, bread, and vegetables in Hoveyzeh city

“…Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), and Arsenic(As) are extremely toxic HMs that pose serious threats to the body, even at low levels. Due to their toxic effects as well as their capacity for accumulation in tissues, they can enter the body with food, drink, air, and other sources and do irreversible damage [4] , [5] . Grains may have been contaminated with HMs, which are subsequently transferred to bread in different ways.…”