HEAVY METALS: IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH

Sreten Ilić, Tatjana Golubović, Ana Bijelić

DOI Number
https://doi.org/10.22190/FUWLEP2302099I
First page
099
Last page
109

Abstract


Heavy metals are important environmental pollutants, and their toxicity is an issue of increasing concern regarding environmental and health reasons. Sources of heavy metals in the environment can be natural (metal-bearing rocks, volcanic eruptions, vegetation, etc.) and anthropogenic (mining, industrial and agricultural activities, traffic, etc.). Environmental pollution caused by heavy metals is long-term and persistent. The contamination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems with toxic heavy metals is a significant environmental concern that has consequences for public health. Certain metals affect biological functions, while other metals accumulate in one or more different organs causing numerous serious diseases.


Keywords

environmental pollutants, heavy metals, health

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22190/FUWLEP2302099I

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