A silent epidemic of environmental metal poisoning?

doi:10.1016/0269-7491(88)90189-3

Environmental Pollution

Volume 50, Issues 1–2, 1988, Pages 139-161

https://doi.org/10.1016/0269-7491(88)90189-3 Get rights and content

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to provoke and stimulate debate on the health effects of long-term, low-level exposure of human populations to toxic metals. Over one billion (10⁹) human guinea pigs are now being exposed to elevated levels of toxic metals and metalloids in the environment. The number of persons suffering from subclinical metal poisoning is believed to be several million. A large portion of the cases are in developed countries but the urban areas of developing countries have become ‘hot-spots’ of metal pollution, and the populations of such countries are particularly susceptible to environmental toxins. As a global problem, the potential health effects of metallic hazards should be a matter of public health concern, especially if the emissions of toxic metals into the environment continue at the current rate.

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View full text

A silent epidemic of environmental metal poisoning?

Abstract

Environ. Res.

Environ. Internat.

Sci. Total Environ.

Environ. Res.

Mutat. Res.

Environ. Res.

J. Chron. Dis.

Chemosphere

Trace elements in the terrestrial environment

Changing biogeochemical cycles

Pollution of soils by cadmium

Effects of lead on mammalian reproduction

Cadmium, zinc, and copper in hypertension

Environmental chemistry of the elements

Group report on arsenic

Role of epidemiologic studies in drinking water standards of metals

Environ. Health Perspect.

Health and society: some ethical imperatives

Daedalus

Effects of chronic exposure to cadmium and/or lead on some neurohumoral mechanisms regulating cardiovascular function in the rat

The relationship of cadmium in the air to cardiovascular disease rates

J. Am. Med. Assoc.

Preventing lead poisoning in young children. A statement by the Center for Disease Control

Mercury

Environmental interaction of lead and cadmium on reproduction and metabolism of male rats

Trace substances in environmental health

Blood lead levels for persons 6 months—74 years of age: United States, 1976–1980

Aluminum in acidic surface waters: chemistry, transport and effects

Environ. Health Perspect.

Air quality criteria document for lead

The synteratogenic effect of lead and cadmium

Experientia

Assessment of exposure to lead and cadmium through biological monitoring of a UNEP/WHO global study

Environ. Res.

Cadmium and health: A toxicological and epidemiological appraisal

Relationship between air pollution and certain chronic disease death rates

Arch. Environ. Health

Cadmium in the European Community

Issues in preventive health care

The role of metals in carcinogenesis: biochemistry and metabolism

Environ. Health Perspect.

Perspectives and prospectives on health effects of metals

The contamination of plants and soils with heavy metals and the transport of metals in terrestrial food chains