The acute systemic toxicity of thallium in rats produces oxidative stress: attenuation by metallothionein and Prussian blue

BioMetals - Thallium (TI) is one of the most toxic heavy metals. Human exposure to Tl occurs through contaminated drinking water and from there to food, a threat to health. Recently, environmental...     

Non-Carcinogenic Hazard Maps of Heavy Metal Contamination in Shallow Groundwater for Adult and Aging Populations at an Agricultural Area in Northeastern Thailand

The Hua-ruea sub-district has long been a major agricultural area of Thailand. Shallow groundwater from farm wells is a main source of drinking water for most locals. This study assessed the human health hazards associated with consuming groundwater contaminated with heavy metals among adults age 15–60 years and the aging, greater than 60 years. Twelve groundwater wells were sampled in the Hua-ruea agricultural area. The results showed adults’ average groundwater consumption was high at 3.6 ± 2.1 L/day/person and for the aging group was 2.6 ± 1.0 L/day/person. The hazard quotients for As, Cu, Pb, and Zn exceeded 1 among both the adult and aging populations. Residents of the Hua-ruea subdistrict may be at risk of developing diseases from consumption of water contaminated with these four metals at seven of the 12 wells. These wells are located in intensely cultivated chili fields. All non-carcinogenic hazards of all heavy metals were higher in adults than for the aging population due to a higher intake rate of water by the former. One well had the highest hazard index, 91.8 and 66.2 for adults and the aging, respectively. This study suggested that local people living in intensively agricultural areas should take precautions before drinking contaminated groundwater.     

Biochemical changes and adaptive strategies of plants under heavy metal stress

Heavy metal contamination of soil, aqueous waste stream and ground water causes major environmental and human health problems. Heavy metals are major environmental pollutants when they are present in high concentration in soil and show potential toxic effects on growth and development in plants. Due to unabated, indiscriminate and uncontrolled discharge of hazardous chemicals including heavy metals into the environment, plant continuously have to face various environmental constraints. In plants, seed germination is the first exchange interface with the surrounding medium and has been considered as highly sensitive to environmental changes. One of the crucial events during seed germination entails mobilization of seed reserves which is indispensable for the growth of embryonic axis. But, metabolic alterations by heavy metal exposure are known to depress the mobilization and utilization of reserve food by affecting the activity of hydrolytic enzymes. Some plants possess a range of potential mechanisms that may be involved in the detoxification of heavy metals by which they manage to survive under metal stress. High tolerance to heavy metal toxicity could rely either on reduced uptake or increase planned internal sequestration which is manifested by an interaction between a genotype and its environment. Such mechanism involves the binding of heavy metals to cell wall, immobilization, exclusion of the plasma membrane, efflux of these toxic metal ions, reduction of heavy metal transport, compartmentalization and metal chelation by tonoplast located transporters and expression of more general stress response mechanisms such as stress proteins. It is important to understand the toxicity response of plant to heavy metals so that we can utilize appropriate plant species in the rehabilitation of contaminated areas. Therefore, in the present review attempts have been made to evaluate the effects of increasing level of heavy metal in soils on the key behavior of hydrolytic and nitrogen assimilation enzymes. Additionally, it also provides a broad overview of the strategies adopted by plants against heavy metal stress.     

Heavy metal contamination of water and fish in peri-urban dams around Bulawayo,Zimbabwe

Urban effluents are significant sources of heavy metal pollution in fresh water. Metal contamination in dams around the city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, were monitored during October 2014 to assess ecological and public health risks. Heavy metals were measured in water, sediment and fish in dams located downstream of effluent discharge zones in Bulawayo and were compared to those in a pristine upstream dam. Water conductivity indicated pollution of downstream dams. Levels of lead (0.13–0.28 ppm) and cadmium (0.02–0.06 ppm) in water from downstream dams exceeded WHO safe limits for drinking water. Cadmium levels in polluted dams also exceeded the safe limit for agricultural use. Sediments of effluent-polluted dams had metal contamination factors ranging from 8.8 to 31.2 relative to the control, and fish from the dams had higher metal content and were unfit for human consumption. Metal levels were also measured along an urban stream to establish the sources of metals. The city’s industrial zone had the highest levels of metals, suggesting that industrial effluents were major sources of contamination. The environmental consequences and human health risks of the pollution of peri-urban water bodies from urban effluents are discussed.     

Heavy metal contamination and health risk assessment in drinking water of Sistan and Baluchistan,Southeastern Iran

Access to safe and clean drinking water is an essential element of healthy life also known as the primary human needs. The present study was conducted to investigate heavy metal (HM) concentrations of drinking water. Excess health risk of HM (Cr, Pb, and Cd) intake is related to the drinking water consumption in local population. HMs concentrations were analyzed by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer and were compared with permissible limits regulated by country and World Health Organization (WHO). The hazard quotient (HQ) and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) were determined to show the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of HMs, respectively. HQs were found in the order of Pb > Cd > Cr and subsequently HI index was also estimated for all HM in two age groups (children and adults). The comparisons indicate no possibility of non-carcinogenic effects to the local population. The values for ELCR were found in the order of Cr > Cd > Pb. The ELCR index was found above acceptable risk levels for chromium and cadmium in both children and adults groups. Furthermore, intermetal correlation results revealed that heavy metals have common sources resulting from geogenic and anthropogenic activities and these are major sources of water contamination in Sistan and Baluchestan province.     

Investigating the synergistic role of heavy metals in Arsenic-induced skin lesions in West Bengal,India

BackgroundArsenic toxicity is one of the major health issues throughout the world. Approximately 108 countries that account for more than 230 million people worldwide are at high risk of arsenic poisoning mainly through drinking water and diet. Chronic exposure to arsenic causes several pathophysiological end-points including skin lesions, peripheral neuropathy, cancer, etc. In India, the population living in the lower Gangetic basin possesses a great risk of arsenicosis and other diseases. Scientists are trying to understand the gene-environmental interactions behind arsenic toxicity revealing the potential role of genetic variants of individuals. Few pieces of the literature showed that the population is not exposed to a mixture of metals. Hence, in this study, an attempt has been made to explore whether some other metals play a synergistic role in As-induced toxicity.MethodsFor this, an assessment of the level of heavy metals using ED-XRF in soil, vegetables from As-exposed areas along with quantification of the heavy metal concentration in human blood and hair of the As-exposed population were conducted.ResultsResults show the concentration of urinary arsenic is very high signifying the magnitude of the exposure. In addition to this, the levels of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) were found to be very high in soil and Fe, manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) in vegetables were exceeding the WHO/FAO recommended permissible limit. However, Fe and zinc (Zn) were predominantly high in whole blood and hair of the arsenic-exposed population when compared with the control population.ConclusionIt can be confirmed that the population from Murshidabad is exposed to As and other heavy metals through drinking water as well as food. Particularly for this population, Fe, Zn and rubidium (Rb) may play a synergistic role in arsenic-induced toxicity. However, further studies on the large population-based investigation are required to establish the chemistry of the metal toxicity.     

Recent developments in the application of proteomics to the analysis of plant responses to heavy metals

Pollution of soils by heavy metals is an ever‐growing problem throughout the world, and is the result of human activities as well as geochemical weathering of rocks and other environmental causes such as volcanic eruptions, acid rain and continental dusts. Plants everywhere are continuously exposed to metal‐contaminated soils. The uptake of heavy metals not only constrains crop yields, but can also be a major hazard to the health of humans and to the entire ecosystem. Although analysis of gene expression at the mRNA level has enhanced our understanding of the response of plants to heavy metals, many questions regarding the functional translated portions of plant genomes under metal stress remain unanswered. Proteomics offers a new platform for studying complex biological functions involving large numbers and networks of proteins, and can serve as a key tool for revealing the molecular mechanisms that are involved in interactions between toxic metals and plant species. This review focuses on recent developments in the applications of proteomics to the analysis of the responses of plants to heavy metals; such studies provide a deeper understanding of protein responses and the interactions among the possible pathways that are involved in detoxification of toxic metals in plant cells. In addition, the challenges faced by proteomics in understanding the responses of plants to toxic metal are discussed, and some possible future strategies for meeting these challenges are proposed.     

Field accumulation risks of heavy metals in soil and vegetable crop irrigated with sewage water in western region of Saudi Arabia

Wastewater irrigated fields can cause potential contamination with heavy metals to soil and groundwater, thus pose a threat to human beings . The current study was designed to investigate the potential human health risks associated with the consumption of okra vegetable crop contaminated with toxic heavy metals. The crop was grown on a soil irrigated with treated wastewater in the western region of Saudi Arabia during 2010 and 2011. The monitored heavy metals included Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn for their bioaccumulation factors to provide baseline data regarding environmental safety and the suitability of sewage irrigation in the future. The pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) of these metals were calculated. The pollution load index of the studied soils indicated their level of metal contamination. The concentrations of Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr in the edible portions were above the safe limit in 90%, 28%, 83% and 63% of the samples, respectively. The heavy metals in the edible portions were as follows: Cr > Zn > Ni > Cd > Mn > Pb > Cu > Fe. The Health Risk Index (HRI) was >1 indicating a potential health risk. The EF values designated an enhanced bio-contamination compared to other reports from Saudi Arabia and other countries around the world. The results indicated a potential pathway of human exposure to slow poisoning by heavy metals due to the indirect utilization of vegetables grown on heavy metal-contaminated soil that was irrigated by contaminated water sources. The okra tested was not safe for human use, especially for direct consumption by human beings. The irrigation source was identified as the source of the soil pollution in this study.     

Metal enrichment in water and fish in a semi-urban Nigerian lake,and their associated risks

Trace metal (Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr and Cd) concentrations in the water column and in the liver, muscle and gill tissues of Parachanna obscura and Clarias gariepinus in Agulu Lake, Nigeria, were investigated in June 2014 and compared with WHO and FAO safe limits for water and fish. Hazard index (HI) values were estimated to assess the potential public health risk of consuming contaminated fish. Lead and cadmium exceeded WHO guideline values for drinking water. In most cases, variations in concentration of the metals in organs were liver > muscle > gill. Differences in tissue-specific concentrations between species were not significant, except for zinc in muscles and gills. Cadmium and chromium were not detected in the fish, but lead was above the FAO maximum value for consumption. Hazard index values were below 1, indicating a low risk to public health. However, trace metal contamination in Agulu Lake is increasing.     

Advances in Cotton Tolerance to Heavy Metal Stress and Applications to Remediate Heavy Metal-Contaminated Farmland Soil

Heavy metal-contaminated soil is one of the major environmental pollution problems of agricultural production and human health in the world. Remediation of heavy metals in soil is one of the most popular research subjects. Different remediation strategies have been reported to remove heavy metals from contaminated soil, among which phytoremediation is the most important one. Compared with other major crops, cotton shows the strongest and most widespread resistance to abiotic stresses, such as heavy metals. Although heavy metal stress adversely affects the growth and development of cotton, cotton possesses a set of sophisticated stress-resistance strategies. As the main product of cotton is nonedible fibers, which have a large biomass and strong heavy metal absorption and enrichment capacities, cotton is an ideal crop to restore heavy metal-contaminated soils and has unique advantages in terms of both ecological and economic benefits, with great application prospects. In this review, based on domestic and foreign research results in recent years, the effects of heavy metals on cotton growth and product quality were analyzed, the heavy metal absorption, accumulation, translocation and enrichment characteristics of cotton plants were summarized, and the adaptation and tolerance mechanisms of cotton to heavy metals were explored. Furthermore, the view that cotton is an effective crop to remediate heavy metal pollution in farmland soil has been proposed, and popularization and application suggestions for planting cotton to repair heavy metal pollution have been put forward to provide a reference for the comprehensive evaluation of the economic feasibility of cotton to repair heavy metal pollution in farmland soil.     

Groundwater contamination with cadmium concentrations in some West U.P. Regions,India

Water is considered a vital resource because it is necessary for all aspects of human and ecosystem survival. However, due to natural processes and anthropogenic activities, various pollutants have been added to the ground water system. Among these, heavy metals are some of the most serious pollutants. Cd, a toxic heavy metal used in Ni-Cd batteries, the colouration of plastic and various discarded electronic products released into the water system causes serious health issues. The chronic exposure to Cd produces a wide variety of acute and chronic effects in humans. Cd accumulates in the human body, especially in the kidneys, resulting in kidney damage (renal tubular damage), which is a critical health effect. Other effects of Cd exposure are disturbances in calcium metabolism, hypercalciuria and the formation of kidney stones. High exposure to Cd can lead to lung cancer and prostate cancer; hence, poor quality water that may result in Cd toxicity has become a global concern. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the concentration of Cd in underground water sources in western U.P. regions. Water samples were acidified to 1% with nitric acid and then stored in double-capped polyethylene bottles for further analysis by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. After comparing the data to the WHO (2011) permissible limit, the study revealed that the concentration of Cd was higher than the regulatory threshold; therefore, the underground water system is seriously affected by Cd toxicity.     

Carcinogenic and Non-carcinogenic Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Groundwater Wells in Neyshabur Plain,Iran

The present work reports the As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Fe concentrations of drinking water samples in Neyshabur Plain, Iran. This study aimed also to ascertain the potential consumers’ health risk of heavy metal intake. Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The highest and lowest average values in the analyzed water samples were observed for Fe (9.78 ± 5.61 μg/L) and As (1.30 ± 2.99 μg/L), respectively. These values were well below the limits recommended by the World Health Organization and the Iranian national standard. Heavy metal pollution index and heavy metal evaluation index were used to evaluate drinking water quality. The risk index was calculated by chronic daily intake and hazard quotient according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency approach. Heavy metal pollution index in all the samples was less than 100, indicating that it is a low-level heavy metal. The total risk of all heavy metals in the urban environment varied from 40.164 × 10⁻⁷ to 174.8 × 10⁻⁷. In this research, the maximum average of risk belonged to lead and copper with the respective values of 60.10 × 10⁻⁷and 33.99 × 10⁻⁷ from the selected wells. However, considering the toxic effect of some elements, including Pb and As, in the chronic exposure of consumers, we suggest a continuous evaluation and monitoring of drinking water resources.

     

重金属污染影响植食性昆虫的研究进展

重金属污染是世界各国面临的最为棘手的问题之一,对生态系统和食品安全构成了严重威胁。作为生态系统中食物链和食物网的重要环节,植食性昆虫是环境中重金属迁移、积累的重要媒介,其因重金属污染而受到的影响引起了大家的关注。本文综述了从2007至2018年重金属污染对植食性昆虫影响的研究进展。昆虫受重金属胁迫的研究途径有人工饲料添加、野外田间暴露、“土壤-植物-昆虫”食物链传递以及体外注射等。积累在植食性昆虫体内的过量重金属可导致其存活率、繁殖力和种群增长率降低,生长发育迟缓。重金属污染对植食性昆虫的生理生化毒性包括细胞超微结构破坏和DNA损伤,体内能量物质含量降低,酶活性、基因表达改变等。植食性昆虫会通过重金属硫蛋白、解毒酶活性的诱导等机制抵御重金属的毒害,从而对低浓度、长期重金属暴露产生生态适应性,甚至提高对其他逆境(如农药等)的耐受性。     

The potential of phytoremediation using hyperaccumulator plants: a case study at a lead-zinc mine site

Contamination with heavy metals is one of the most pressing threats to water and soil resources, as well as human health. Phytoremediation might potentially be used to remediate metal-contaminated sites. A major advance in the development of phytoremediation for heavy metal affected soils was the discovery of heavy metal hyperaccumulation in plants. This study applied several established criteria to identify hyperaccumulator plants. A case study was conducted at a mining area in the Hamedan province in the west central region of Iran. The results indicated that plant metal accumulation differed among species and plant parts. Plant species grown in substrata with elevated metal levels contained significantly higher metal levels. Using the most common criteria, Euphorbia macroclada and Centaurea virgata can be classified as hyperaccumulators of specific heavy metals measured in this study and they might potentially be used for the phytoremediation of contaminated soils.     

Human Health Risk of Metals in Drinking-Water Source Areas from a Forest Zone after Long-Term Excessive Deforestation

The concentrations of 10 metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se, Zn) were determined in drinking water in Khingan, China, a forest zone after long-term excessive deforestation. These metals’ concentrations in water exceeded background values of metals in some other regions of the world, indicating that there were other metal sources contributing to such high levels of metals in Khingan. Arsenic was the only metal whose concentration exceeded the maximum levels allowed in drinking water. Principal component analysis showed that As, Cd, Cu, and Se originated from anthropogenic sources and exhibited significantly high concentrations in north Khingan, while Fe and Mn derived from natural formation and showed significantly high concentrations in central Khingan. Health risks from metals were evaluated by a model recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ingestion was the predominant pathway of exposure to metals in water for local residents. Arsenic was also the only metal causing both noncarcinogenic hazard and carcinogenic risk in Khingan. The high risks occurred mainly in north Khingan and are associated with coal combustion. This study indicates that long-term excessive deforestation may increase As concentration considerably in drinking water and then pose health risks to local residents.     

Arsenic and heavy metals health risk assessment through drinking water consumption in the Peshawar District,Pakistan

This study aimed to assess the drinking water quality and human potential health risk in Peshawar, which is the most populous district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. Water was randomly collected throughout Peshawar District (urban = 45 samples and rural = 29 samples). These samples were analyzed for heavy metal (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) concentrations using the atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, AAS-PEA-700). Heavy metal concentrations in drinking water revealed the highest pollution index (PI) values—17.80, 11.92, 7.50, and 5.70 for the Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni, respectively. The contaminations of Cd and Pb were significantly higher (p < .05) than their maximum allowable limits set by the World Health Organization. Heavy metal contaminations in drinking water were evaluated for health risk assessment: the chronic risk or hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk. Results revealed that HQ values were >1 for the Cd and Pb, suggesting that the exposed human beings could be at chronic risk. Therefore, serious measures such as drinking water treatments and contamination controlling policies are needed to avoid the hazardous effects of toxic heavy metals.     

Assessment of heavy metal toxicity related with human health risk in the surface water of an industrialized area by a novel technique

This study innovates an assessment technique to evaluate heavy metal toxic load (HMTL). Assessment of surface water in Durgapur industrial area, West Bengal India illustrates that heavy metals in majority of sampling locations exceed the drinking water quality standards. Therefore, pollution status and health impact were predicted by heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and hazard index (HI). More than 50% of sampling locations were marked as polluted. Moreover, 5% and 90% of sampling locations near the industries have health risk to adult and child on ingestion. The study of specific exposure-time and exposure-duration affirms the suitability of water for fishing and regular activities. However, HPI or HI does not quantify heavy metal concentrations that pose threat to human health. Therefore, the proposed assessment technique, HMTL, determines the concentration of heavy metals responsible for health hazard. HMTL identifies Mn, Pb, and Co as toxic metals and estimates 85%, 63%, and 70% removal of these metals from surface water to limit pollution. Origins of metals were also investigated through statistical techniques, which revealed that Fe has geogenic and anthropogenic source, while other metals originate by anthropogenic activities solely. This study demonstrates that HMTL will help the planning authority to document effective water quality management plan.     

Evaluation of metal contamination and risk assessment to human health in a coal mine region of India: A case study of the North Karanpura coalfield

The present study aimed to evaluate metal contamination level in coal mine water of the North Karanpura coalfields and assess the possible health risk due to the intake of untreated mine water. Fourteen coal mine water samples were collected from the study area and analyzed for Al, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, and Zn using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) was used to calculate metal pollution level in the coal mine water. The hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were estimated for health risk to child and adult by using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) methods. The concentrations of Al, Fe, Mn, and Ni in coal mine water were exceeding the acceptable as well as the maximum permissible limits specified for drinking and domestic uses. The HPI values were below the critical pollution index level of 100 except at one location. The estimated HQ and HI values for adult and children were greater than the standard limits in nearly half of the water samples. High HQ and HI values suggest that suitable treatment of coal mine water will require before its utilization in domestic and drinking purposes.     

Assessment of potential health risk of heavy metals in soils from a rapidly developing region of China

Soil heavy metal contamination is a major environmental concern, and health risk associated with heavy metals is not fully explored. A combination of spatial analysis and Monte Carlo simulation was successfully used to identify the possible sources and health risk of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) in soils collected from a rapidly developing region of China. It was found that mean concentrations of Cd (0.17 mg/kg ), As (8.74 mg/kg ), Hg (0.15 mg/kg ), Pb (27.28 mg/kg ), and Cu (33.32 mg/kg ) were greater than the soil background values. Accumulation and spatial variability of heavy metals were significantly affected by anthropogenic activities and soil properties. The risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic risk was not significant. However, 95% of the total cumulative carcinogenic risk of children was greater than 1E-05, implying high potential carcinogenic risk with As and Pb representing the major contributors. Ingestion of heavy metals in the soils was the main exposure pathway compared with the inhalation and the dermal exposure. Concentration of heavy metals in the soils, particulate emission factor, and dermal exposure ratio were the major parameters affecting health risk. This study highlights the importance of assessment of soil direct exposure health risk in studying heavy metal exposures.     

Health Risks of Metals in Soil,Water, and Major Food Crops in Hamedan Province,Iran

Food, drinking water, soil, and air are the main routes of exposure to trace metals, thus the assessment of the risks posed to humans by these elements is important. Wheat, potatoes, and maize are very important parts of the Iranian diet. The objectives of this study were to estimate the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks of Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, Se, As, and Ni to adults and children via soil, water, and major food crops consumed in Hamedan Province, northwest Iran, using the total non-cancer hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk assessment estimates. Total non-cancer hazard of Ni and Hg, were greater than 1, and total cancer risk of As and Pb was greater than 1 × 10^?6. Food consumption was identified as the major route of human exposure to metals, and consuming foodstuff threatens the health of the studied population. In Hamedan Province, consumption of wheat is the main source of intake of metals from foodstuff for adults, and in children, the soil ingestion route is also important.