Effects of trace metals on human health: a case study from River Cooum, Madras, India

Environmental degradation effected by pollution of waterways has raised serious concern about its impact on the ecosystem. The increasing scientific awareness of the introduction of harmful chemical substances into the environment has triggered several pollution studies on a global scale. ICP-AES analyses for trace metals from 16 water samples collected from the River Cooum indicate high concentrations of As(max.7.488 μg/mL), Hg(max.1.637 μg/mL), Se(max.0.674 μg/mL) and marginally lower concentrations of Cd(max.0.283 μg/mL), Cu(max.0.039 μg/mL), and Pb(max.0.328 μg/mL). The present study mainly deals with adverse health effects of these elements on the human community.