Soil to Society: Heavy Metal Pollution in Soils and its Implications for Human Health - A Critical Review

Abstract

Heavy metal poisoning of soil presents serious dangers to the environment and public health on a global scale. Anthropogenic activities including mining, industrialization, the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and improper waste management have all contributed to the rise, in agricultural soils levels of heavy metals. Heavy metal concentrations in the soil, including lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, have increased as a result of these activities. which, when present in excess of allowable limits, present serious toxicological hazards to plant life and human health. Following their introduction into the soil, heavy metals can be easily absorbed by plants, which allows them to enter the food chain and impact the metabolic processes of both humans and animals that eat the polluted plants. Even while the soil naturally contains tiny levels of heavy metals, concentrations above safe limits can have harmful effects, such as interfering with enzyme processes, damaging cellular structures, and with vital biological functions. According to studies, children who grow up in urban and industrial settings are especially susceptible to heavy metal exposure, which can lead to developmental delays, cognitive impairments, and other health problems. Furthermore, chronic illnesses like cancer, renal failure, and cardiovascular issues can result from prolonged exposure to these metals. Therefore, resolving this environmental issue is essential to maintaining ecological balance, protecting public health, and advancing sustainable development. This article highlights the origins, bioavailability, and soil accumulation of heavy metals while offering a thorough summary of the toxicological impacts of these metals on human health. It draws attention to the dangers that metals including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury pose to human health.