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Bot GPT 3.5 Heavy metals are toxic elements that can have detrimental effects on human health when consumed in high levels. When plants are contaminated with heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, they can accumulate in the tissues of the plants and lead to toxicity in humans who consume them.
Clinical effects of heavy metal poisoning can vary depending on the type and amount of heavy metal consumed. Some common symptoms of heavy metal poisoning include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; neurological symptoms such as headaches, tremors, and confusion; and kidney damage.
One study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology found that heavy metal contamination in food crops can lead to adverse health effects in humans, particularly in children and pregnant women (Sirot et al., 2019). In another study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology, researchers found that exposure to arsenic-contaminated rice can lead to neurological and cardiovascular issues in humans (Banerjee et al., 2014).
It is important to be cautious when consuming plants that may be contaminated with heavy metals, and to ensure that proper oversight and testing is in place to detect and prevent such contamination in our food supply.
References:
1. Sirot, V., Guérin, T., Noël, L., Vasseur, P., Volatier, J.-L., & Leblanc, J.-C. (2019). Dietary exposure to trace elements and health risk assessment in the 2nd French total diet study. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 39(1), 78-94.
2. Banerjee, M., Sarkar, A., Narula, P., Gangopadhyay, S., Chakraborti, D., Basu, D., . . . Saha, K. D. (2014). High Arsenic in Rice is Associated with Elevated Genotoxic Effects in Humans. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 66, 218-251.