Physico-chemical and heavy metals analysis of drinking water and their effect on human health: A Review

Abstract

Water is the vital source for life and if it is contaminated by heavy metals can pose perilous repercussions on living beings. Therefore, this review is framed in which the concentrations of different heavy metals were quantitatively analyzed in different water bodies by different authors. The main elements under their observations were sodium, potassium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel, mercury, zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, cobalt and lead. Some studies revealed the detection of sodium and potassium through flame photometer while the concentrations of other aforementioned metals were detected by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). And their levels were compared with some of the most reputable environmental agencies of the world like WHO (2008), EUC (2001) and EPA (2007). The researchers also analyzed the physical parameters for water quantitatively like electrical conductivity, temperature, pH, TDS, hardness, turbidity, alkalinity and salinity with the help of Digital Electronic Kits. Most of the water bodies present in the vicinity of industrial and municipal wastes were found highly polluted whereas the water bodies farther from these sources were aesthetically good in quality. In this study, the impacts of heavy elements on life have also been elaborated by quoting different research works.

Copper Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Characterization, Physiology, Toxicity and Antimicrobial Applications

“…If it is ingested in higher quantities that exceed the human tolerance, copper becomes toxic and can cause hemolysis, jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea and, in extreme cases, death [16,17].…”

Equilibrium, Kinetic, and Diffusion Mechanism of lead(II) and cadmium(II) Adsorption onto Commercial Activated Carbons

“…It is harmful to humans and the environment, even at low concentrations, due to its accumulation in biological organisms. Excessive cadmium intake leads to kidney damage, chronic pulmonary problems, proteinuria, skeletal deformities, cardiovascular disease, muscle spasms, and testicular atrophy [ 7 , 8 ].…”

The concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in drinking water from Shiraz, Iran: a health risk assessment of samples

“…Galena mineral (PbS) exists in the natural composition of the earth's crust. Pb also exists in smoking, pesticides, automobile emissions, mining, and paint (Basheer et al 2020 ). Pb is a nonvital, highly toxic, carcinogenic element in the aquatic environment (Gao et al 2022 ).…”

“…It can catalyze the metabolisms in the body. Nevertheless, it has an endurable upper intake rate in adults (about 45 mg/day) (Basheer et al 2020 ). Accumulation of excessive Fe has predominantly occurred in the liver, heart, pancreas, skin, pituitary, and joints after the age of 40, which can cause fibrosis of the liver, cirrhosis, cardiac diseases, diabetes, hyperpigmentation, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and arthritis (Papanikolaou and Pantopoulos 2005 ).…”