Blood levels in children should be reduced below the levels so far considered acceptable, recent data indicating that there may be neurotoxic effects of lead at lower levels of exposure than previously anticipated. Chronic arsenic toxicity which is termed arsenicosis usually focus on skin manifestations such as pigmentation and keratosis [81]. Nevertheless, cancer is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and premature death worldwide. The influence of these heavy metals on plants and their metabolic activities caused by the geological and biological redistribution of heavy metals through pollution of the air, water and soil were briefly discussed in this article. The symptoms of manganism are very similar to that of Parkinson disease. Some sulfides may contain two or more heavy metals together such as chalcopyrite, (CuFeS2) which contains both copper and iron. Heavy metals exhibit toxic effects towards soil biota by affecting key microbial processes and decrease the number and activity of soil microorganisms. Additionally, metal-dependent damage to multiple organ systems can occur with primary targets being the kidneys, liver, brain and other rapidly dividing cells. Thus, lead exposure leads to reductions in IPSCs and EPSCs indicating a deficit in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission systems. Dietary intake of many heavy metals through consumption of plants has long term detrimental effects on human health. Tajchman K, Ukalska-Jaruga A, Bogdaszewski M, Pecio M, Dziki-Michalska K. Animals (Basel). Not many are aware of the impact of heavy metals on the human body. Mainly produced from industrial activities most hazardous heavy metals are- 1. arsenic (As) 2. lead (Pb) 3. mercury (Hg) 4. cadmium (Cd) 3. Heavy metals are individual metals and metal com- pounds that can impact human health. Long-term exposure of the body to heavy metal can progressively lead to muscular, physical and neurological degenerative processes that are similar to diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Alzheimer’s disease. Heavy metals can damage and alter the functioning of organs such as the brain, kidney, lungs, liver, and blood. Even though there are no immediate problems, heavy metals keep on accumulating in our body. Studies have supported with evidence that ROS generation by lead is key in altering chromosomal structure and sequence [42]. It’s based on principles of collaboration, unobstructed discovery, and, most importantly, scientific progression. As reviewed from [9], the sources of specific heavy metals are described below. The effect of heavy metal toxicity on the growth and development of plants differs according to the particular heavy metal for that process. Even low concentration of heavy metals may inhibit the physiological metabolism of plant. Iron salts such as iron sulfate, iron sulfate heptahydrate and iron sulfate monohydrate are of low acute toxicity when exposure is through dermal, oral and inhalation routes. The numbers in brackets correspond with the list of references at the end of the article. The fourth and final stage usually occurs within 2–6 weeks of iron overdose. For example, toxic arsenic present in fungicides, herbicides and insecticides can attack –SH groups in enzymes to inhibit their catalytic activities as shown in Figure 3. Several heavy metals are found naturally in the earth crust and are exploited for various industrial and economic purposes. Our team is growing all the time, so we’re always on the lookout for smart people who want to help us reshape the world of scientific publishing. 2000 Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. 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