Research progress on adverse impacts of thallium on ecological environment and human health
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Abstract
Thallium (TI) is a highly toxic heavy metal. Due to its unique physical and chemical characteristics, it is easy to cause acute and chronic TI poisoning. It is generally present in the environment at low levels; however, emissions from anthropogenic activities including exploitation, processing, and utilization of TI mineral resources lead to obviously increased concentratons of TI in the environment and contaminate air, soil, farmland, and water, seriously jeopardizing the ecological environment. Nowadays, many countries have found multple high-TI contaminated zones, and have put forward measures to control environmental TI contaminaton. TI accumulates in the edible parts of plants and enters the human body through the food chain. It is stored in bones, kidneys, liver, central nervous system, and other organs, and can cross the placental barrier and the blood-brain barrier. Exposure to TI at an environmental level can lead to endemic TI poisoning, and affect the growth and development of fetuses and infants, etc. Besides, studies have shown that the concentration of TI in the population has been on the rise in recent years. Thus, the long-term harm of TI on human health may be incalculable. Environmental TI pollution and its damage to human health have become an essential public health issue. In this review, we briefly introduced TI sources, its applicaton, and current polluton status; summarized TI induced pollutons in atmosphere, soil, farmland, and water; underscored its harm to ecological environment and human health; and pointed out the limitatons of current studies. Overall, we aimed to provide references for further research on the adverse health impacts of TI and taking effectve preventon and remediaton measures.
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