CIRCULATION OF THE HEAVY METALS IN NATURE, CONCENTRATION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS IN DAILY FOOD, CHEMICAL EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

Circulation of heavy metals in nature that have a high toxic effect, among others includes these factors: the amount of toxic dose, the nature of exposure to the toxicity, types of exposed species, age, gender, genetics and nutritional conditions of the exposed individuals to the toxic material. The high degree of concentration of heavy metals such are: arsenic, cadmium, chrome, lead and mercury belong to the group of metals that have an impact on the public health of the citizens. The metallic elements are manifested with toxic effects in systematic manner during their exposure, especially in the consumption of the food products, which cause great damage to the human and animal organs, often even in low levels of exposure. The increase of the toxic concentration was as a result of the industrial development, the use of pesticides and herbicides in agriculture, they all cause health damages as a result of the exposure to metallic toxicity: 1) molecular toxicity, 2) genetic toxicity and 3) cancer inducing impact. The presence of heavy metals in the environment such are: copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), chrome (Cr) represent essential nutritional substances which are required in different biochemical and physiological functions.