scholarly journals A review: Analytical methods for heavy metals determination in environment and human samples

Author(s):  
Mojtaba Arjomandi ◽  
*Hamid Shirkhanloo

Heavy metals are vital and necessary in our daily lives. Moreover, if the amounts of heavy metals are more than the acceptable amounts (mentioned by WHO) in soil, water, and air, indeed, they cause a lot of diseases in human bodies. Therefore, monitoring and measuring the amounts of heavy metals that are arduous and difficult are so important. In this review paper, a lot of studies that have been carried out on the determination and quantification of heavy metals in human bodies, soil, and water are considered. Moreover, the effect of toxicity of each heavy metal on human health is assessed. According to WHO, EPA, NIOSH, ACGIH, and clinical chemistry, the determination of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Zn, Hg, Cu, Mn is very important in the human body and Environmental matrixes. 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saima Naz ◽  
Borhan Mansouri ◽  
Ahmad Manan Mustafa Chatha ◽  
Qudrat Ullah ◽  
Zain Ul Abadeen ◽  
...  

Abstract This study was conducted to calculate the burden of heavy metals i.e., aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb) in the river water of Punjnad Headworks, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. For this purpose, samples were collected from surface water, bed sediments and planktons during autumn, winter and spring seasons (September 2018 to May 2019). The results showed that in surface water Pb concentration was highest (453.87 mg L-1), while in sediments and plankton, Al concentration was highest (370.24 µg g-1 and 315.05 µg g-1, respectively). A significant difference (p < 0.000) in metal concentrations was found among surface water, bed sediments and plankton at different sampling stations during various seasons. However, findings of this study showed no adverse effects of heavy metal concentrations on human health. This study provided better understanding of various pollutants and their concentrations in water sources at the studied location.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramazan Akçan ◽  
Halit Canberk Aydogan ◽  
Mahmut Şerif Yıldırım ◽  
Burak Taştekin ◽  
Necdet Sağlam

Background/aim: Use of nanomaterials in the healthcare applications increases in parallel to technological developments. It is frequently utilized in diagnostic procedures, medications and in therapeutic implementations. Nanomaterials take place among key components of medical implants, which might be responsible for certain toxic effects on human health at nano-level. In this review, nanotoxicological effects, toxicity determination of nanobiomaterials used in human body and their effects on human health are discussed. Material and Method: A detailed review of related literature was performed and evaluated as per nanomaterials and medical implants. Results and Conclusion: The nanotoxic effects of the materials applied to human body and the determination of its toxicity are important. Determination of toxicity for each nanomaterial requires a detailed and multifactorial assessment considering the properties of these materials. There are limited studies in the literature regarding the toxic effects of nanomaterials used in medical implants. Although these implants are potentially biocompatible and biodegradable, it is highly important to discuss nanotoxicological characteristics of medical implant.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gideon Ramtahal ◽  
Ivan Chang Yen ◽  
Isaac Bekele ◽  
Frances Bekele ◽  
Lawrence Wilson ◽  
...  

<p>The determination of heavy metals in cocoa beans and chocolates is of great importance, due to increasingly stringent regulations being implemented by international legislative bodies and chocolate manufacturers, to protect the health of their consumers. While various techniques exist for heavy metal analyses in cocoa, this study developed a cost-effective, accurate and precise method capable of processing up to 120 samples per batch for the determination of cadmium, copper, nickel and zinc. For sample extractions, a normal laboratory hot plate and locally fabricated high-capacity digestion blocks were used, instead of dedicated block digestion or microwave digestion systems. In addition, only concentrated nitric acid was used, instead of mixed reagents used in standardized methods, for metal extractions from samples, with a sample: extractant ratio of 0.5 g : 10 mL, digestion at 130 ºC, followed by filtration and analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The method was validated with Certified Reference Materials, with heavy metal recoveries generally &gt;95%. Additionally, an in-house quality control sample of ground cocoa nib analyzed together with the Certified Reference Materials was used to monitor the consistency of analyses of heavy metals in cocoa bean samples.</p>


1987 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Horas Hutagalung ◽  
Suwirma Syamsu

Determination of  heavy  metal  content  (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Zn) in some seafoods collected from  Muara  Angke  Fish  Auction  Place  were carried out during February to July 1979. The results showed  that Zn  content  in seafoods a nalyzed  was always much higher than the other heavy metals. The concentration levels of  the  six  heavy  metals observed were low. It is almost of the same level as the metal concentration of  other  seafoods  observed  in various parts of the world oceans, but still lower  than the maximum standard set  for human  consumption  as  established  by   Tasmania, Australia and  World Health Organization. The  mean  per capita  consumption of  fish  in Jakarta is only  about 165 g  per week, while  the  Provisional Tolerated Weekly Intake for Hg, set by WHO/FAO at 300 ug level, would be attained by consuming 1500 g Rastrelliger sp., or 698 gPenaeus setiferus, or 545 g Sepia sp., and or 1250 g Pecten sp.  Therefore,  at   present the  level of metal content in fishes sold at TPI  Muara  Angke  can be  considered  as  not  dangerous  to human health as long as these quantities are not surpassed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sock Yin Tan ◽  
Sarva Mangala Praveena ◽  
Emilia Zainal Abidin ◽  
Manraj Singh Cheema

AbstractIndoor dust acts as a media for heavy metal deposition. Past studies have shown that heavy metal concentration in indoor dust is affected by local human activities and atmospheric transport can have harmful effects on human health. Additionally, children are more sensitive to heavy metals due to their hand-to-mouth behaviour and rapid body development. However, limited information on health risks were found in past dust studies as these studies aimed to identify heavy metal concentrations and sources of indoor dust. The objective of this review is to discuss heavy metal concentration and sources influencing its concentration in indoor dust. Accordingly, high lead (Pb) concentration (639.10 μg/g) has been reported in heavy traffic areas. In addition, this review paper aims to estimate the health risk to children from heavy metals in indoor dust via multiple exposure pathways using the health-risk assessment (HRA). Urban areas and industrial sites have revealed high heavy metal concentration in comparison to rural areas. Hazard index (HI) values found in arsenic (As), chromium (Cr) and Pb were 21.30, 1.10 and 2.40, respectively, indicate that non-carcinogenic elements are found in children. Furthermore, most of the past studies have found that carcinogenic risks for As, cadmium (Cd), Cr and Pb were below the acceptable total lifetime cancer risk (TLCR) range (1×10


2014 ◽  
Vol 955-959 ◽  
pp. 1397-1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Na Shi ◽  
Xun Xu ◽  
Xiao Yan Dou ◽  
Xu Dong Zhao

PM2.5 is one of the most important components in air pollution. It is also the focus of the most closely watched at home and abroad. Based on its small size, complex components, and strongenvironmental activity, it can be used as a carrier for chemicals, heavy metals, bacteria, toxins and carcinogens into the body. Then, as a result, it will affect Human Body Health. Heavy metals are important components of PM2.5, and the long-term accumulation of heavy metals in PM2.5 poses a great threat on human health and the environment. This paper reviewed the sources, distribution methods,chemical form, detection methods, disposal way, research progress of heavy metals in PM2.5. As a result, it provided a reference for in-depth study on the future.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Kazem Souri ◽  
Neda Alipanahi ◽  
Mansoure Hatamian ◽  
Mohammad Ahmadi ◽  
Tsehaye Tesfamariam

Abstract Heavy metal accumulation in vegetable tissues often poses a great risk for human health. In the present study, accumulation of heavy metal in green leafy vegetable crops of coriander, garden cress, lettuce and spinach were evaluated under waste water irrigation in fields located in Kahrizak, on the southern edge of the metropolitan city of Tehran, Iran. Atomic absorption spectrophotometery was used for determination of heavy metal concentrations in leaf tissue. The results showed that heavy metal concentrations in soil and irrigation water were significantly high than allowable levels. Analysis of plant leaf tissue showed that spinach and garden cress accumulated higher concentrations of heavy metals compared to coriander and lettuce plants. Central leaves of lettuce showed the lowest heavy metal concentration compared to outer leaves or leaves of other vegetable crops, and can be the safer product for fresh consumption. The results indicate that the vegetables produced in the region are not suitable for fresh consumption and the agricultural activities should change towards ornamental or industrial crops production.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaolin Fang ◽  
Varenyam Achal

The global energy crisis and heavy metal pollution are the common problems of the world. It is noted that the microbial fuel cell (MFC) has been developed as a promising technique for sustainable energy production and simultaneously coupled with the remediation of heavy metals from water and soil. This paper reviewed the performances of MFCs for heavy metal removal from soil and water. Electrochemical and microbial biocatalytic reactions synergistically resulted in power generation and the high removal efficiencies of several heavy metals in wastewater, such as copper, hexavalent chromium, mercury, silver, thallium. The coupling system of MFCs and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) successfully reduced cadmium and lead without external energy input. Moreover, the effects of pH and electrode materials on the MFCs in water were discussed. In addition, the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil by MFCs were summarized, noting that plant-MFC performed very well in the heavy metal removal.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Karine Boulet ◽  
Adelcia Veiga ◽  
Carla Ferreira ◽  
António Ferreira

&lt;p&gt;Conservation of agriculture soils is a topic of major concern, namely through the increase of soil organic matter. SoilCare project (https://www.soilcare-project.eu/) aims to enhance the quality of agricultural soils in Europe, through the implementation and testing of Soil Improving Cropping Systems in 16 study sites. In Portugal, the application of urban sewage sludge amendments in agriculture soils has been investigated. However, this application is a sensitive topic, due to the risk of long term accumulation of heavy metals and consequent contamination of the soil. The recent Portuguese legislation (Decret-Law 103/2015) is more restrictive than the precedent one (Decret-Law 276/2009) in terms of maximum concentrations of heavy metals in agricultural soils. The analytical quantification of heavy metals, however, raises some methodological questions associated with soil sample pre-treatment, due to some imprecisions in standard analytical methods. For example, the ISO 11466 regarding the extraction in Aqua Regia provides two pre-treatment options: (i) sieve the soil sample with a 2 mm mesh (but if mass for analyses is &lt;2g, mill and sieve the sample &lt;250&amp;#181;m is required), or (ii) mill and sieve the soil sample through a 150&amp;#181;m mesh. On the other hand, the EN 13650 requests soil samples to be sieved at 500&amp;#181;m. Since heavy metals in the soil are usually associated with finer particles, the mesh size used during the pre-treatment of soil samples may affect their quantification.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This study aims to assess the impact of soil particle size on total heavy metal concentrations in the soil. Soil samples were collected at 0-30cm depth in an agricultural field with sandy loam texture, fertilized with urban sludge amendment for 3 years. These samples were then divided in four subsamples and sieved with 2mm, 500&amp;#181;m, 250&amp;#181;m and 106&amp;#181;m meshes (soil aggregates were broken softly but soil wasn&amp;#8217;t milled). Finer and coarser fractions were weighted and analyzed separately. Heavy metals were extracted with Aqua Regia method, using a mass for analyze of 3g, and quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometer with graphite furnace (Cd) and flame (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Cr).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Except for Cu, heavy metals concentrations increase linearly with the decline of the coarser fraction. This means that analyzing heavy metals content only in the finest fractions of the soil leads to an over estimation of their concentrations in the total soil. Results also show that coarser fractions of soil comprise lower, but not negligible, concentrations of heavy metals. Calculating heavy metal concentrations in the soil based on the weighted average of both fine and coarse fractions and associated concentrations, provide similar results to those driven by the analyses of heavy metals in the &lt;2mm fraction. This indicates that milling and analyzing finer fractions of the soil did not influence the quantification of heavy metals in total soil. Clearer indications on analytical procedures should be provided in analytical standards, in order to properly assess heavy metal concentrations and compare the results with soil quality standards legislated. &amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;


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