Effect of Heavy Metal Ions in Water on Human Health

The provision of safe drinking water has been one of humanity?s most successful public health interventions and is a defining aspect of a developed country. Metals are released into the environment by both natural and anthropogenic means, especially mining and industrial activities, and automobile exhaust, which are serious harmful to human health. Among all water contaminations, heavy metal ions, such as Pb, Cd, As and Hg, have high toxic and non-biodegradable properties, can cause severe health problems in animals and human beings. Wastewater from many industries, including chemical manufacturing, battery manufacturing industries, metallurgical, leather tanning, and mining, contain these heavy metal ions. These wastewater with heavy metal ions are discharged into natural water directly, not only threat the aquatic organisms, but may be enriched by precipitation, adsorption, and harmed human health through the food chain. The term ?heavy metals? refers to any metallic element that has a relatively high density and is toxic or poisonous even at low concentration (Lenntech, 2004).