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Most heavy metals, but not all, are not even required by human body and they cause problems even in a very small concentration. They often take same pathways as essential nutrients and so cause toxic effects. They also bioaccumulate and biomagnify

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12y ago
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6mo ago

Heavy metals are toxic to life because they can interfere with the normal functioning of cellular processes. They can disrupt enzyme activity, damage DNA, and cause oxidative stress, leading to a range of harmful effects on cells and tissues. Additionally, heavy metals can accumulate in the body over time, causing chronic toxicity that can lead to serious health problems.

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13y ago

I am sure the answer is "toxic"

Many of the heavy metals are what toxic to living things

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9y ago

Heavy metals are metallic elements with high density that are toxic to organisms at low concentration.

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13y ago

toxicity and many concentrate in bone.

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Q: Why are heavy metals toxic to life?
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What is the difference between heavy metals and the other metals?

Heavy metals are a subset of metals that are characterized by their high atomic weight and density. They also tend to have toxic properties at certain concentrations, unlike other metals that are essential for biological functions and not inherently toxic. Examples of heavy metals include lead, mercury, and cadmium.


What Lead and mercury are two environmental pollutants why are they called heavy metals?

Lead and mercury are called heavy metals because of their high atomic weights. They are considered environmental pollutants due to their toxic nature and ability to bioaccumulate in the environment. These heavy metals can have harmful effects on human health and the ecosystem.


What kind of pollutant are Arsenic cadmium lead and mercury?

Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are heavy metals that are considered toxic pollutants. They can accumulate in the environment and cause harm to human health and ecosystems when released into the air, water, or soil.


Is toxic waste toxic?

Yes, toxic wastes are substances that can cause harm to living organisms and the environment when not properly managed or disposed of. These wastes can contain chemicals, heavy metals, or radioactive materials that can be harmful in high concentrations or if released into the environment.


Can the body leach heavy metals?

Yes, the body can absorb heavy metals through exposure to contaminated food, water, air, or through skin contact. Once absorbed, the body may attempt to eliminate these heavy metals through processes such as excretion, but in some cases, they can accumulate in tissues and organs, leading to potential health issues.

Related questions

What are the importance of heavy metals in cooking?

Heavy metals compounds have frequently toxic properties.


What is the difference between heavy metals and the other metals?

Heavy metals are a subset of metals that are characterized by their high atomic weight and density. They also tend to have toxic properties at certain concentrations, unlike other metals that are essential for biological functions and not inherently toxic. Examples of heavy metals include lead, mercury, and cadmium.


What is heavy metal poisoning?

Heavy metal poisoning is the toxic accumulation of heavy metals in the soft tissues of the body.


What effects do heavy metals have on human bodies?

The heavy metals like lead and mercury are toxic to our human bodies as the body system has no means of getting rid of them.


What is impact of effluents from cement factory on groundwater?

The effluents from cement factories is highly toxic, and contains high levels of heavy metals. Both plant life and water near cement factories were found to have increased levels of heavy metals as well as other damage.


Why there is need to assess the heavy metal pollution in water?

Because many heavy metals - and also another impurities - are toxic and dangerous for the health.


What Lead and mercury are two environmental pollutants why are they called heavy metals?

Lead and mercury are called heavy metals because of their high atomic weights. They are considered environmental pollutants due to their toxic nature and ability to bioaccumulate in the environment. These heavy metals can have harmful effects on human health and the ecosystem.


What is the role of humifulvate in detoxifying the plants from heavy metals?

Humifulvate removes heavy metals from plants. The detoxification process occurs when Humifulvate attaches to the toxic Mercury, Lead, Aluminum, or Cadmium and takes them out of the plants system.


What are the advantages and disadvantages of using incineration to dispose of heavy metal?

Advantages of using incineration for heavy metal disposal include destruction of toxic substances and reduction in volume of waste. However, disadvantages include the potential release of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere and the need for proper monitoring to ensure complete destruction of heavy metals.


Is steel a heavy metal?

Steel is an alloy consisting mainly of iron, which is metal, but not heavy metal. Heavy metal means toxic metals like mercury, lead, plutonium and uranium


If heavy metals are injurious to the central nervous system why are eating utensils made of metal and do they have any deleterious affect?

I don't think stainless steel is a heavy metal. You kind of answered your own question by referring to both 'heavy metals' and 'metal.' They are not the same thing. While 'heavy metals' are metal, not all metals are 'heavy metals.' 'Heavy metals' refer to metallic chemical elements that have relatively high density and are poisonous at low concentrations. Examples of heavy metals would be mercury, cadmium, chromium, thallium, and lead. And from the US department for Labor: "Toxic metals, including 'heavy metals,' are individual metals and metal compounds that negatively affect people's health. Some toxic, semi-metallic elements, including arsenic and selenium, are discussed in this page. In very small amounts, many of these metals are necessary to support life. However, in larger amounts, they become toxic. They may build up in biological systems and become a significant health hazard." The metals that we use in our everyday lives, such as in spoons, do not contain enough poisonous metals to accumulate in our body enough to do harm. And the main metals in our utensils are not at all harmful. Note: whilst cast iron and stainless steel are actually beneficial to health, some people are concerned about the use of aluminium in pans. It's not a heavy metal, nor are deleterious effects in the small quantities caused by cookware proven, but some people only use coated aluminium as a precaution. More dangerous are copper pans which should always have an inert lining.


What kind of pollutant are Arsenic cadmium lead and mercury?

Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are heavy metals that are considered toxic pollutants. They can accumulate in the environment and cause harm to human health and ecosystems when released into the air, water, or soil.