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Review
. 2014 Jun;7(2):60-72.
doi: 10.2478/intox-2014-0009. Epub 2014 Nov 15.

Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals

Monisha Jaishankar  1 , Tenzin Tseten  1 , Naresh Anbalagan  1 , Blessy B Mathew  1 , Krishnamurthy N Beeregowda  1
Affiliations
Review

Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals

Monisha Jaishankar et al. Interdiscip Toxicol. 2014 Jun.

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. They sometimes act as a pseudo element of the body while at certain times they may even interfere with metabolic processes. Few metals, such as aluminium, can be removed through elimination activities, while some metals get accumulated in the body and food chain, exhibiting a chronic nature. Various public health measures have been undertaken to control, prevent and treat metal toxicity occurring at various levels, such as occupational exposure, accidents and environmental factors. Metal toxicity depends upon the absorbed dose, the route of exposure and duration of exposure, i.e. acute or chronic. This can lead to various disorders and can also result in excessive damage due to oxidative stress induced by free radical formation. This review gives details about some heavy metals and their toxicity mechanisms, along with their health effects.

Keywords: free radicals; heavy metals; metal toxicity; oxidative stress.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The global production and consumption of selected toxic metals during 1850–1990 (Adapted from Nriagu, 1996).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Various sources of lead pollution in the environment (Adapted from Sharma & Dubey, 2005).
Figure 3
Figure 3
The attack of heavy metals on a cell and the balance between ROS production and the subsequent defense presented by antioxidants.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The global usage of mercury for various applications (total in 2005: 3,760 metric tons).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Arsenic keratosis, so called “raindrops on a dusty road” (available from: http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/bonemarrarsenic.html)
Figure 6
Figure 6
Skin lesions due to arsenicosis (Adapted from Smith et al., 2000).
Figure 7
Figure 7
The increase in blood lead concentration affecting a person's IQ (Adapted from Taylor et al., 2012).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Effects of increased lead level in blood (Adapted from Brochin et al., 2008).
Figure 9
Figure 9
A relative contribution of different sources to human cadmium exposure (Adapted from Regoli, 2005).
Figure 10
Figure 10
Values of cadmium toxicity (Adapted from Flora et al., 2008).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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