{"title":"The effects of heavy metals on human metabolism","authors":"Zhushan Fu, Shuhua Xi","doi":"10.1080/15376516.2019.1701594","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Abstract As technology continues to advance, heavy metals in drinking water have exceeded recommended limits from regulators around the world. The main source of human exposure to heavy metals is from contaminated drinking water. The effects of drinking water contaminated with heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, nickel, cadmium and mercury, have gradually caught the attention of the relevant departments and personnel. It is well known that occupational exposure to heavy metals occurs as a result of using these metals in a variety of industrial processes in and/or a variety of materials, including color pigments and alloys. A series of adverse effects on human metabolism has resulted from exposure to heavy metal-contaminated drinking water, which has been recorded from around the world. The general mechanism of heavy metal toxicity is through the production of reactive oxygen species, the appearance of oxidative damage, and subsequent adverse effects on health. Therefore, water contaminated with heavy metals causes high morbidity and mortality worldwide. In order to address concern regarding the health effects of different heavy metals, this paper reviews its sources, distribution and effects of heavy metal on human metabolism. HIGHLIGHTS The accumulation of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium and nickel will destroy the main metabolic process of human body. Redox reactions in biological systems are caused by carcinogenic metal ions such as nickel and arsenic. The free radicals produced by these reactions cause oxidative damage to proteins and DNA. The accumulation of heavy metals eventually produces reactive oxygen species that can cause oxidative stress, which may lead to the production of various diseases.","PeriodicalId":49117,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods","volume":"30 1","pages":"167 - 176"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8000,"publicationDate":"2019-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15376516.2019.1701594","citationCount":"360","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15376516.2019.1701594","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"TOXICOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 360
Abstract
Abstract As technology continues to advance, heavy metals in drinking water have exceeded recommended limits from regulators around the world. The main source of human exposure to heavy metals is from contaminated drinking water. The effects of drinking water contaminated with heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, nickel, cadmium and mercury, have gradually caught the attention of the relevant departments and personnel. It is well known that occupational exposure to heavy metals occurs as a result of using these metals in a variety of industrial processes in and/or a variety of materials, including color pigments and alloys. A series of adverse effects on human metabolism has resulted from exposure to heavy metal-contaminated drinking water, which has been recorded from around the world. The general mechanism of heavy metal toxicity is through the production of reactive oxygen species, the appearance of oxidative damage, and subsequent adverse effects on health. Therefore, water contaminated with heavy metals causes high morbidity and mortality worldwide. In order to address concern regarding the health effects of different heavy metals, this paper reviews its sources, distribution and effects of heavy metal on human metabolism. HIGHLIGHTS The accumulation of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium and nickel will destroy the main metabolic process of human body. Redox reactions in biological systems are caused by carcinogenic metal ions such as nickel and arsenic. The free radicals produced by these reactions cause oxidative damage to proteins and DNA. The accumulation of heavy metals eventually produces reactive oxygen species that can cause oxidative stress, which may lead to the production of various diseases.
期刊介绍:
Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods is a peer-reviewed journal whose aim is twofold. Firstly, the journal contains original research on subjects dealing with the mechanisms by which foreign chemicals cause toxic tissue injury. Chemical substances of interest include industrial compounds, environmental pollutants, hazardous wastes, drugs, pesticides, and chemical warfare agents. The scope of the journal spans from molecular and cellular mechanisms of action to the consideration of mechanistic evidence in establishing regulatory policy.
Secondly, the journal addresses aspects of the development, validation, and application of new and existing laboratory methods, techniques, and equipment. A variety of research methods are discussed, including:
In vivo studies with standard and alternative species
In vitro studies and alternative methodologies
Molecular, biochemical, and cellular techniques
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
Mathematical modeling and computer programs
Forensic analyses
Risk assessment
Data collection and analysis.