Impact of Heavy Metals on Human Health

Rapid industrialization and technological growth have caused a massive increase in effluent volumes, leaving the environment vulnerable. Toxic elements like mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), etc., have been the major culprits for common heavy metal-induced toxicities in humans. Accumulation of these heavy elements in various tissues and organs can lead to a plethora of consequences ranging from mild nausea stretching up to carcinoma, mutation, and death due to disruption of crucial biochemical processes. In this chapter, we have comprehended the complete discussion about their sources, mode of human contact, consumption limit, action mechanism in the biological system, and different detection and remedial techniques of their toxicity.