Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
7077818 
Book/Book Chapter 
Heavy metals 
Fisher, RM; Gupta, V 
2020 
StatPearls Publishing 
Treasure Island, FL 
StatPearls 
English 
32491738 
Heavy metal is a broad term used to describe a group of naturally occurring metallic elements of high molecular weight and density when compared to water. At low concentrations, certain heavy metals, such as iron, zinc, copper, and manganese, are essential for human survival but can become toxic agents at higher concentrations. Other heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, thallium, and mercury, serve no biological role. However, they will inevitably enter the human body due to their presence in the environment. Similarly to the essential metals, they will induce toxicity once certain concentrations are reached.