title: The role of heavy metals in human health.
abstract: The article reviews the role of heavy metals in human health, including those which are biochemically essential as well as those which have no known role in the normal functioning of the organism but which are toxic. The metals discussed are: cobalt, copper, manganese, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Several are also of concern from the point of view of environmental contamination. The article describes the biochemical role for those metals that are essential, mechanisms of intoxication, intake routes and quantities, and environmental significance.
mesh_terms: D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity; D002105:Cadmium Poisoning; D003035:Cobalt / Q000502:physiology / Q000633:toxicity; D003300:Copper / Q000502:physiology / Q000633:toxicity; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D004920:Erythropoiesis; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity; D007855:Lead Poisoning; D008345:Manganese / Q000502:physiology; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity; D008630:Mercury Poisoning; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D011506:Proteins; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D003035:Cobalt; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D008628:Mercury