Reeta Rani Gupta¹*, Priya Sharma¹, Preet Kumar² and Shaurya Raghuvanshi³

¹Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Directorate of Forensic Science Services, New Delhi-110003, India
²Department of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Science, Mumbai-400032, India
³Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi-110062, India

*Corresponding Author: Reeta Rani Gupta, Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Directorate of Forensic Science Services, New Delhi-110003, India.

Received: June 17, 2025; Published: June 23, 2025

Abstract

Heavy metal toxicity poses a significant threat to human health, with varying acute and chronic manifestations depending on the metal involved. This study explores the toxicological profiles, few detection techniques, medico-legal relevance, and mechanisms of action of key metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, thallium, fluorine, copper, selenium, and iron in its discussion segment. Acute exposure to these metals often results in gastrointestinal, neurological, or systemic symptoms, while chronic exposure leads to long-term complications such as organ damage, neuropathy, or cognitive deficits. Analytical techniques like Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and spectrophotometric methods enable accurate detection of metal toxicity. The medico-legal implications underscore their relevance in occupational exposure, environmental contamination, and intentional poisoning cases. Mechanistically, these metals disrupt cellular processes by interfering with enzymatic activity, oxidative balance, or essential metabolic pathways. This comprehensive overview highlights the importance of early detection and management to mitigate the health impacts of heavy metal exposure.

Keywords: Heavy Metal Toxicity; Acute Exposure; Toxicological Profiles; Medico-Legal Relevance

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Citation

Citation: Reeta Rani Gupta., et al. “A Comprehensive Overview on Heavy Metal Poisoning: Toxicological Significances and Medico-legal Implications". Acta Scientific Pharmaceutical Sciences 9.7 (2025): 24-39.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Reeta Rani Gupta., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.