Lead toxicity and removal: A review

Abstract

Lead poisoning has been recognized as a major public health risk, particularly in developing countries. Though various occupational and public health measures have been undertaken in order to control lead exposure, cases of lead poisoning are still reported. Exposure to lead produces various deleterious effects on the cardiovascular, renal, nervous system; reproductive health and effect on bone and other critical organs mainly through increased oxidative stress. These alterations play a prominent role in disease manifestations. Modulation of cellular metabolism for protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS), and has been used as a therapeutic strategy against lead poisoning. This review provides a comprehensive account of recent updates describing health effects of lead exposure, relevant biomarkers and mechanisms involved in lead toxicity, and possible removal from the environment via adsorption mechanism, as this technique updates the readers about recent advances in lead remediation.