This review article by Hazrat Ali, Ezzat Khan, and Ikram Ilahi focuses on the environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology of hazardous heavy metals, particularly their persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation. Heavy metals, including Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, and As, are significant environmental pollutants due to their persistence, toxicity, and ability to accumulate in the environment and food chains. The article discusses the natural and anthropogenic sources of these metals, their impact on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the health risks they pose to consumers, including humans. It highlights the importance of monitoring and analyzing heavy metal concentrations in various environmental media and biota to assess pollution levels and potential risks. The article also covers the trophic transfer of heavy metals, the bioaccumulation of these elements in fish, rice, and tobacco, and the use of bioindicators and biomarkers for pollution assessment. Finally, it provides recommendations for minimizing the impact of heavy metals on human health and the environment, emphasizing the need for regular monitoring, public education, and effective wastewater treatment.This review article by Hazrat Ali, Ezzat Khan, and Ikram Ilahi focuses on the environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology of hazardous heavy metals, particularly their persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation. Heavy metals, including Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, and As, are significant environmental pollutants due to their persistence, toxicity, and ability to accumulate in the environment and food chains. The article discusses the natural and anthropogenic sources of these metals, their impact on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the health risks they pose to consumers, including humans. It highlights the importance of monitoring and analyzing heavy metal concentrations in various environmental media and biota to assess pollution levels and potential risks. The article also covers the trophic transfer of heavy metals, the bioaccumulation of these elements in fish, rice, and tobacco, and the use of bioindicators and biomarkers for pollution assessment. Finally, it provides recommendations for minimizing the impact of heavy metals on human health and the environment, emphasizing the need for regular monitoring, public education, and effective wastewater treatment.