Publication | Open Access
Heavy metal pollution and human biotoxic effects
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2007
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EngineeringWater ContaminationMetal ContaminationBioaccumulationEnvironmental ChemistryBiotoxic EffectsEnvironmental HealthHeavy MetalsToxicologyPublic HealthHeavy Metal PollutionTrace MetalWater QualityEcotoxicologyEnvironmental EngineeringChemical ContaminantsEnvironmental RemediationMetal ToxicityEnvironmental ToxicologyTrace Elements
Heavy metals are released into the environment by natural and anthropogenic activities, leach into water and soil, and poison organisms by binding to biomolecules, disrupting protein and enzyme function. The study aims to clarify the concentrations, oxidation states, sources, leaching processes, chemical conversions, and deposition modes that render heavy metals biotoxic to humans. It reviews the biochemical mechanisms by which selected heavy metals exert their toxic effects on humans. Keywords: biochemical, biotoxic, environment, heavy metals, pollution.
Some heavy metals have bio-importance as trace elements but, the biotoxic effects of many of them in human biochemistry are of great concern. Hence, there is the need for proper understanding of the conditions, such as the concentrations and oxidation states, which make them harmful, and how biotoxicity occurs. It is also important to know their sources, leaching processes, chemical conversions and their modes of deposition to pollute the environment, which essentially supports lives. Literature sources point to the fact that these metals are released into the environment by both natural and anthropogenic sources, especially mining and industrial activities, and automobile exhausts (for lead). They leach into underground waters, moving along water pathways and eventually depositing in the aquifer, or are washed away by run-off into surface waters thereby resulting in water and subsequently soil pollution. Poisoning and toxicity in animals occur frequently through exchange and co-ordination mechanisms. When ingested, they combine with the body’s biomolecules, like proteins and enzymes to form stable biotoxic compounds, thereby mutilating their structures and hindering them from the bioreactions of their functions. This paper reviews certain heavy metals and their biotoxic effects on man and the mechanisms of their biochemical activities. Keywords: Biochemical, biotoxic, environment, heavy metals, pollution.