Abstract

The aim of the study is to discuss cadmium toxicity in plants and human organisms. Cadmium belongs to the group of heavy metals and is one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants. The main sources of cadmium emissions include combustion processes in the municipal, residential and industrial sectors. This heavy metal is present in the air mostly in the form of oxides which are easily soluble in water. Because of this, aquatic ecosystems and the soil are readily becoming contaminated by cadmium. Cadmium is particularly dangerous not only because of its rapid absorption by living organisms, but also by the ease of its accumulation in the tissues of plants and animals. Because of widespread occurrence of that heavy metal in industry, it is a significant threat to human health. The most common effects of cadmium in humans and animals include damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs, osteoporosis, anemia and a wide range of tumors. Cadmium in higher plants and algae, contributes to functional changes in the cell membrane, inhibiting cell division and reducing the efficiency of photosynthesis and oxygen evolution.

Adres: mgr Agata Kaczyńska
Zakład Anatomii Klinicznej Katedry Anatomii GUMed
ul. Dębinki 1, 80-211 Gdańsk
e-mail: agata.kaczynska@gumed.edu.pl