TY  - JOUR
AU  - Teschke, Rolf
AU  - Chien, Nguyen Xuan
AU  - Xuan, Tran Dang
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/10/21
TI  - Impact of Heavy Metals as Trace Elements on the Ecosystem and Health
JO  - Recent Progress in Nutrition
SP  - 023
VL  - 05
IS  - 04
AB  - Heavy metals are integral parts of our environment, originating initially from the universe and used in the industry, which may contribute to pollution. This book chapter aims to address the impact of heavy metals on the ecosystem and human health. Among the 32 heavy metals, eight belong to the group of essential ones: cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, and zinc. They were necessary in physiological amounts for the evolution of flora and fauna, including humans on earth, and are still needed to sustain their wellbeing. For these, however, non-physiological amounts of essential heavy metals are deleterious and have a negative impact similar to that of the 26 non-essential heavy metals if exposed to high or even small amounts. They can disrupt plant growth and yield due to reduced photosynthesis and impair the health of animals, as well as their reproductive properties. To combat hazardous heavy metals, protective measures aimed at improving the ecosystem are mandatory. These measures start with reducing heavy metal release during metallic fabrication processes and are followed by the remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. At the human level, precautionary measures are recommended to reduce occupational exposures to heavy metals and to verify the consumption of food and drinking water with normal amounts of heavy metals. In conclusion, essential heavy metals are beneficial to flora and fauna, including humans, when exposed to physiological amounts. In contrast, high amounts are deleterious, as are non-essential heavy metals in both low and high amounts.
SN  - 2771-9871
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/rpn.2504023
DO  - 10.21926/rpn.2504023
ID  - Teschke2025
ER  -