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Cited by 4,402Heavy Metal Exposure and ToxicityHeavy metals in environmentEnvironmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 65 of the 67 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Heavy metal pollution in the environment and their toxicological effects on humans

Open access
Briffa, Jessica, Sinagra, Emmanuel, Blundell, Renald·2020·Heliyon
DOI 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04691PMC PMC7490536
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Abstract

Environmental pollution of heavy metals is increasingly becoming a problem and has become of great concern due to the adverse effects it is causing around the world. These inorganic pollutants are being discarded in our waters, soils and into the atmosphere due to the rapidly growing agriculture and metal industries, improper waste disposal, fertilizers and pesticides. This review shows how pollutants enter the environment together with their fate. Some metals affect biological functions and growth, while other metals accumulate in one or more different organs causing many serious diseases such as cancer. The pharmacokinetics and toxicological processes in humans for each metal is described. In summary, the review shows the physiological and biochemical effects of each heavy metal bioaccumulation in humans and the level of gravity and disquieting factor of the disease.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04691

Cites

65 of 65 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Figures

Figure 1 Relationship of all the spheres.
Figure 1 Relationship of all the spheres.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 2 The relationship between the person's performances concerning the concentration of the essential element in the diet.
Figure 2 The relationship between the person's performances concerning the concentration of the essential element in the diet.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 3 Heavy metal source pathway and human exposure [13].
Figure 3 Heavy metal source pathway and human exposure [13].CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 4 Metal-induced oxidative stress pathways [14].
Figure 4 Metal-induced oxidative stress pathways [14].CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 5 Chromium formation of free radicals [14].
Figure 5 Chromium formation of free radicals [14].CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 6 Cobalt reactions [14].
Figure 6 Cobalt reactions [14].CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 7 Copper Fenton reaction [14].
Figure 7 Copper Fenton reaction [14].CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central

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Citations

Cites

Show all 67 references

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Martin, 2009, Griswold Wendy Human Health Effects of Heavy Metals, Environ. Sci. Technol. Briefs Citizens
  2. Cui, 2018, Intercropping of gramineous pasture ryegrass (LoliumperenneL.) and leguminous forage alfalfa (medicago sativaL.) increases the resistance of plants to heavy metals, J. Chem., 11

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Metadata

Authors
Briffa, J., Sinagra, E., & Blundell, R.
Affiliations
University of Malta (MT)
Corresponding author
Blundell, Renald
ORCID
Venue
Heliyon
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-09
Volume
6
Issue
9
Pages
e04691
ISSN
2405-8440 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04691
PMC
PMC7490536
OpenAlex
W3084100763
Cited by
4,402
References
67
Citations by year
2026: 708 · 2025: 971 · 2024: 1001 · 2023: 832 · 2022: 633 · 2021: 243 · 2020: 8
FWCI
36.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Heliyon (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • OAR@UM (University of Malta) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • European Commission
  • European Social Fund
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Heavy metals in environment
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
Keywords
heavy metal contamination, heavy metal toxicity, human health effects, bioaccumulation, pharmacokinetics, contaminant fate, industrial and agricultural pollution, waste disposal

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