Risk and health implications of polluted soils for crop production

Abstract

Studies of polluted soils have shown heavy metals contamination of the soils as well the uptake of these
toxic elements by plants. Consequently, there are reasons for concern over elevated concentration levels of
heavy metal/toxic elements in polluted soils. This can ultimately result in high human and animal exposure
to these toxic elements through food-chain transfer, ingestion of wind blown dust or direct ingestion of
soils. The toxic effects caused by excess concentrations of heavy metals in living organisms include
competition for sites with essential metabolites, replacement of essential ions, reactions with –SH groups,
damage to cell membranes and reactions with the phosphate groups.