The Health Effects of Heavy Metals Contamination: A Critical Review

Heavy metals have long been associated with a wide array of human health problems, including both autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases. As countries have become more industrialized and economically developed, the levels of hazardous heavy metals in the environment, such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium, have dramatically increased. This surge in pollution has corresponded with a rise in health problems directly related to heavy metal exposure. These metals are released into the environment through a variety of sources, such as industrial emissions, mining, agricultural activities, and improper waste disposal. Once introduced into the air, water, and soil, heavy metals persist for extended periods due to their non-biodegradable nature. Their persistence makes it extremely difficult to remove them, posing a continuous threat to both ecosystems and human populations. This ongoing contamination underscores the urgent need for innovative strategies to eliminate or neutralize these toxic metals in natural resources. Countries around the world have adopted various approaches to control and reduce heavy metal toxicity, but the success of these measures often depends on several critical factors, including the source of the contamination, the concentration of heavy metals, and the length of exposure. Heavy metal exposure can have both direct and indirect effects on human health. Direct exposure occurs through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, while indirect effects result from the long-term, low-level accumulation of these metals in the body. Over time, this accumulation in vital organs like the brain, kidneys, and liver can lead to a variety of severe health disorders, including developmental delays, neurological damage, cardiovascular diseases, kidney dysfunction, and certain types of cancer.

کلیدواژه ها:

Heavy metals ، Contamination ، Health effects ، Pollution ، Toxicity ، Exposure