2022 Vol.28 No.2 PP 315-327
https://doi.org/10.33451/florafauna.v28i2pp315-327
Environmental Hazards of Heavy Metal Pollution and Toxicity: A Review
*Pallavi Kaushik, Renu Khandelwal, Neha Rawat1,and Mukesh Kumar Sharma2
Department of Zoology,
University of Rajasthan, JAIPUR-302004 (RAJ) INDIA
1Department of Zoology,
IIS University, JAIPUR (RAJ) INDIA
2Department of Zoology
SPC Government College,
AJMER-305001 (RAJ) INDIA
*Corresponding Author :
E-mail: pallavikaushik512@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Metals and especially heavy metals are one of the major constituents of environmental pollution. The sources of heavy
metal pollution can be geogenic or anthropogenic. The man-made sources include fumes, metal laden dust or food components.
Although, many metals are essential for animal metabolism but a dose exceeding the required concentration is often deleterious.
The hazardous nature of these heavy metals has been extensively studied in human, animal and plants showing various
toxicological impacts of toxic metals. The acute or chronic exposure of heavy metals to animals and human can result in severe
injury to the structure and function of vital organs as liver, kidney, brain along with systemic disease conditions. The growth of
plants is also severely affected by the intake of metallic compounds through the mineral and water absorption route. The
deleterious effects on plants range from symptoms of injury to metabolic, enzymatic, and growth inhibition. The study of heavy
metal pollution and the subsequent impact to flora and fauna can contribute in spreading public awareness and sensitizing
policy makers to develop strategic planning in order to reduce the pollution and implement biological protection strategies.
KEY WORDS : Acute, Anthropogenic, Chronic, Exposure, Geogenic, Heavy metals, Toxicological effects