Effects of heavy metals on children's health

Subject Areas : The Application of Chemistry in Environment

Ahmad Asl hashemi ¹ , Fatemeh Yaghoobi roodposhti ² , Gholamhossein Safari ³

1 - Department of Environmental Health Education, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
2 - Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
3 - Department of Environmental health engineering, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Received: 2022-10-16 Accepted : 2022-11-07 Published : 2022-04-21

Keywords: Children, Health, Environmental pollution, Heavy metals,

Abstract :

Children are more susceptible and vulnerable to environmental pollutants relative to adults. Due to their unique physiological and behavioral characteristics, children are easier to be exposed to environmental pollutants than the general population. Children are more sensitive to chemical exposure as their organs are still developing and not yet mature and their immune systems and detoxification mechanisms are weaker than adults. The purpose of this study is to investigate the types of heavy metals (such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic), their sources, possible routes of exposure and entry of heavy metals into children's bodies, the vulnerability of children to heavy metals and the adverse effects of heavy metals on children's health. Entry of heavy metals to the body occurs through inhalation of contaminated air, dermal absorption, consumption of contaminated food, and drinking of contaminated water. Exposure of children to heavy metals has adverse impacts on their health. The entry of heavy metals into children's bodies affects not only the physical development of children but also their nervous system, kidneys, and bones. Exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy and childhood leads to unfavorable brain development and increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and so-called autism in children. Many of these metals lead to mental retardation and neurological disorders in children due to memory problems and low IQ. Because of the detrimental health effects of heavy metals on children, efforts should be made to curb their pollution or release to the environment through stringent laws and regulations.