Table 13.4 Heavy metal toxicities include the following sources and effect of contaminants
S. no. Metal
Sources
Effects
1
Arsenic
Industrial dusts, polluted
water
Perforation septum cancer neuropathy,
dermatoses skin cancer, of nasal
respiratory
peripheral
2
Cadmium
Industrial dusts,
Fumes, polluted
water, and food
Glucosuria, osteomalacia,
aminoaciduria, and emphysema
3
Chromium Polluted water,
food, industrial
dusts
Ulcer and respiratory cancer
4
Lead
Industrial dusts,
fumes, and polluted
food
Anemia, peripheral, neuropathy
5
Mercury
Industrial fumes,
vapor, polluted
water, and food
Chronic rhinitis and sinusitis,
respiratory cancer, dermatitis
Table 13.5 Heavy metals, their sources, and toxic response
Heavy
metal ion
Sources
Toxic response
Cr
Timber treatment,
leather
tanning, pesticides and
dyes
Ulceration, vomiting, diarrhea,
fever muscle cramps,
alteration of genetic materials,
coma and even death
Cd
Electroplating,
batteries, and fertilizers
Damage to central nervous system and immune system,
DNA damage, reduce growth, Bone defects, lung cancer
and death from pulmonary edema may occur
Cu
Timber treatment,
fertilizers, fungicides,
electrical, and
pigments
Irritation in eyes, nose and mouth, headaches,
dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and
brain damage
Hg
Mining, transportation,
processing of
mercury ores, plastic,
batteries and
fertilizers
Brain damage, birth defects
and miscarriages,
sensory impairment, hearing loss,
head aches
Pb
Batteries, metal
products
Biochemical effects in
synthesis of hemoglobin,
effects on kidneys, rise in blood
pressure
As
Timber treatment,
paints, and
pesticides
Vomiting throat and stomach pain,
DNA damage,
infertility and miscarriage with
women
294
P. Kumar et al.