energy consumption [29, 30]. Adsorption, on the other hand, uses less energy and is
easy to operate due to its simple design.
Many biomass wastes are abundantly available in nature throughout the world
due to agricultural activities. These wastes are dumped or burned in an open landfill
or incinerator, which leads to substantial environmental and economic-related issues
such as groundwater contamination, air pollution, and operational cost [31]. The
agricultural wastes which are commonly available in large quantities have been
reported to have the potential as adsorbents because of their physicochemical
characteristics, inexpensiveness, and effectivness in removing contaminants. The
use of chemicals reduces when using biomass wastes as adsorbents, which save the
Table 9.1 The human health effects from heavy metal exposure
Heavy
metals
Health effects
References
As(III)
Toxic to almost all organs due to inhibition of cellular enzymes
[10]
Inducing significant levels of stress genes and related proteins in
liver cells
[11]
Tumours in the lung, kidney, skin, bladder, and liver
[12]
Cd
Known carcinogen – cause of prostate, lung, and gastrointestinal
cancer
[13]
Potential agent for estrogen-related diseases, such as breast cancer,
endometriosis, and spontaneous abortion
[14]
Cr(VI)
Irritation to nasal cavity, asthma, skin ulcers, known carcinogen
[4]
Respiratory cancer
[15]
Co
Irritant to lungs, resulting in asthma, pneumonia, and wheezing
[16]
Cu
Contribute to progression of diabetes-related disease and cause
fatality due to coronary disease
[4]
Atherosclerotic disease
[17]
Fe
Increase risk of mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and ageing. The cause
of breast cancer and colorectal cancer
[4]
Changes the metabolism of glucose
[18]
Increase risk for cardiovascular disease
[19]
Rheumatoid arthritis
[20]
Hg
Induce mutation of cells
[21]
Pb
Increase possibility of spontaneous abortion
[22]
Behaviour problems in children – attention disorders, hyperactivity,
impulsiveness
[23]
Decrease intelligence, lower IQ, impaired behaviour development
in children
[24]
Negative impact or reproductive system – decline in sperm count
and increase in spontaneous abortion
[25]
Al, As, Cd,
Pb
Kidney lesions
[26]
Cd, Pb
Increase risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis
[27]
Cd, Co, Cr,
Cu, Ni
Negative effects on the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems
[28]
9 Agricultural Waste-Derived Adsorbents for Decontamination of Heavy Metals
375
easy to operate due to its simple design.
Many biomass wastes are abundantly available in nature throughout the world
due to agricultural activities. These wastes are dumped or burned in an open landfill
or incinerator, which leads to substantial environmental and economic-related issues
such as groundwater contamination, air pollution, and operational cost [31]. The
agricultural wastes which are commonly available in large quantities have been
reported to have the potential as adsorbents because of their physicochemical
characteristics, inexpensiveness, and effectivness in removing contaminants. The
use of chemicals reduces when using biomass wastes as adsorbents, which save the
Table 9.1 The human health effects from heavy metal exposure
Heavy
metals
Health effects
References
As(III)
Toxic to almost all organs due to inhibition of cellular enzymes
[10]
Inducing significant levels of stress genes and related proteins in
liver cells
[11]
Tumours in the lung, kidney, skin, bladder, and liver
[12]
Cd
Known carcinogen – cause of prostate, lung, and gastrointestinal
cancer
[13]
Potential agent for estrogen-related diseases, such as breast cancer,
endometriosis, and spontaneous abortion
[14]
Cr(VI)
Irritation to nasal cavity, asthma, skin ulcers, known carcinogen
[4]
Respiratory cancer
[15]
Co
Irritant to lungs, resulting in asthma, pneumonia, and wheezing
[16]
Cu
Contribute to progression of diabetes-related disease and cause
fatality due to coronary disease
[4]
Atherosclerotic disease
[17]
Fe
Increase risk of mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and ageing. The cause
of breast cancer and colorectal cancer
[4]
Changes the metabolism of glucose
[18]
Increase risk for cardiovascular disease
[19]
Rheumatoid arthritis
[20]
Hg
Induce mutation of cells
[21]
Pb
Increase possibility of spontaneous abortion
[22]
Behaviour problems in children – attention disorders, hyperactivity,
impulsiveness
[23]
Decrease intelligence, lower IQ, impaired behaviour development
in children
[24]
Negative impact or reproductive system – decline in sperm count
and increase in spontaneous abortion
[25]
Al, As, Cd,
Pb
Kidney lesions
[26]
Cd, Pb
Increase risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis
[27]
Cd, Co, Cr,
Cu, Ni
Negative effects on the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems
[28]
9 Agricultural Waste-Derived Adsorbents for Decontamination of Heavy Metals
375