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Toxic Metal Pollution in Pakistan and Its Possible Risks to Public Health
Environmental pollution has increased many folds in recent years and in some places has reached levels that are toxic to living things. Among pollutant types, toxic heavy metals and metalloids are among the chemicals that pose the highest threat to biological systems (Jjemba 2004). Unlike organic pollutants, which are biodegradable, heavy metals are not degraded into less hazardous end products (Gupta et al. 2001). Low concentrations of some heavy metals are essential for life, but some of them like Hg, As, Pb and Cd are biologically non-essential and very toxic to living organisms. Even the essential metals may become toxic if they are present at a concentration above the permissible level (Puttaiah and Kiran 2008). For example, exposure to Zn and Fe oxides produce gastric disorder and vomiting, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Intake of Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd and Cu causes heart problems, leukemia and cancer, while Co and Mg can cause anemia and hypertension (Drasch et al. 2006). Similarly, various studies indicated that overexposure to heavy metals in air can cause cardiovascular disorders (Miller et al. 2007; Schwartz 2001), asthma (Wiwatanadate and Liwsrisakun 2011), bronchitis/emphysema (Pope 2000), and other respiratory diseases (Dominici et al. 2006).
Toxic Metal Pollution in Pakistan and Its Possible Risks to Public Health
Environmental pollution has increased many folds in recent years and in some places has reached levels that are toxic to living things. Among pollutant types, toxic heavy metals and metalloids are among the chemicals that pose the highest threat to biological systems (Jjemba 2004). Unlike organic pollutants, which are biodegradable, heavy metals are not degraded into less hazardous end products (Gupta et al. 2001). Low concentrations of some heavy metals are essential for life, but some of them like Hg, As, Pb and Cd are biologically non-essential and very toxic to living organisms. Even the essential metals may become toxic if they are present at a concentration above the permissible level (Puttaiah and Kiran 2008). For example, exposure to Zn and Fe oxides produce gastric disorder and vomiting, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Intake of Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd and Cu causes heart problems, leukemia and cancer, while Co and Mg can cause anemia and hypertension (Drasch et al. 2006). Similarly, various studies indicated that overexposure to heavy metals in air can cause cardiovascular disorders (Miller et al. 2007; Schwartz 2001), asthma (Wiwatanadate and Liwsrisakun 2011), bronchitis/emphysema (Pope 2000), and other respiratory diseases (Dominici et al. 2006).
Toxic Metal Pollution in Pakistan and Its Possible Risks to Public Health
Reviews Env.Contamination(formerly:Residue Reviews)
de Voogt, Pim (editor) / Shakir, Shakirullah Khan (author) / Azizullah, Azizullah (author) / Murad, Waheed (author) / Daud, Muhammad K. (author) / Nabeela, Farhat (author) / Rahman, Hazir (author) / ur Rehman, Shafiq (author) / Häder, Donat-Peter (author)
2016-07-28
60 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
Heavy metals , Health risk , Risk assessment , Water pollution , Soil pollution , Air pollution , Permissible limits , Industrial effluents , Municipal wastes , Vehicular emissions , Hazard quotient , Hazard index , Reference dose , Arsenic , Cadmium , Cobalt , Chromium , Copper , Iron , Mercury , Manganese , Nickel , Lead , Zinc , Pakistan Environment , Ecotoxicology , Environmental Management , Water Quality/Water Pollution , Environmental Chemistry , Earth and Environmental Science
Water pollution in Pakistan and its impact on public health — A review
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Public Perception of Drinking Water Quality and Health Risks in the District Vehari, Pakistan
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Public Perception of Drinking Water Quality and Health Risks in the District Vehari, Pakistan
| DOAJ | 2018
Public Perception of Drinking Water Quality and Health Risks in the District Vehari, Pakistan
| DOAJ | 2018