Studies and analysis of heavy metal ions in human blood samples

<p>The environment in which we claim to live in has become a huge</p><p>reservoir of toxic metals. Human health is under constant risk of deterioration due</p><p>to increasing chronic exposure of such metals that adversely affect the quality of</p><p>life of people. The expedition to meet man's basic need for food clothing and</p><p>shelter has continually heightened pollution of the biosphere. The deterioration of</p><p>human health due to exposure to heavy metals has become a major issue of</p><p>concern worldwide. Although adverse health effects caused by heavy metals have</p><p>been known for a long time exposure to heavy metals continues and is even</p><p>increasing in some parts of the world particularly in less developed countries</p><p>even though emissions have declined in most developed countries over the last</p><p>100 years.</p><p>The term heavy metals refers to any metallic element that has a</p><p>relatively high density and is toxic or poisonous even at low concentration [1].</p><p>Heavy metals is a general collective term which applies to the group of metals</p><p>and metalloids with atomic density greater than 4 g/cm3 or 5 times or more</p><p>greater than water [2]. Heavy metals include lead (Pb) cadmium (Cd) zinc (Zn)</p><p>mercury (Hg) arsenic (As) silver (Ag) chromium (Cr) copper (Cu) iron (Fe) and</p><p>the platinum group elements [3]. Heavy metal toxicity is the excess of</p><p>concentration of toxic heavy metals which have become concentrated as a result</p><p>of human caused activities enter in plant animal and human tissues via</p><p>inhalation diet and manual handling and can bind to and interfere with the</p><p>functioning of vital cellular components.</p>