Heavy metal pollution is a growing environmental concern due to its adverse effects on humans and ecosystems. This review discusses the sources, properties, and toxicological effects of heavy metals, as well as their entry into the environment and their impact on human health. Heavy metals, defined by their high atomic weight or density, are toxic to both the environment and humans. Common heavy metals include aluminium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, silver, cadmium, mercury, and lead. These metals are found naturally in the Earth's crust but their increased use in agriculture, industry, and mining has led to significant environmental pollution. Heavy metal pollution enters the environment through various sources, including industrial activities, agricultural practices, and natural processes such as volcanic activity and weathering. Once in the environment, heavy metals can accumulate in soil, water, and air, entering the food chain and posing serious health risks. They can be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, leading to bioaccumulation in the body and causing a range of health issues, including neurological, liver, and kidney damage. The toxicological effects of heavy metals are complex and depend on factors such as the metal's oxidation state, its interaction with biological molecules, and the body's ability to detoxify them. Heavy metals can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disruptions in cellular functions, leading to diseases such as cancer. The review also highlights the importance of understanding the pharmacokinetic processes of heavy metals, including their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, to better understand their toxicological effects. The review emphasizes the need for effective pollution control measures, including proper waste management, regulation of industrial emissions, and the use of environmentally friendly practices in agriculture and industry. It also discusses the role of antioxidants in mitigating the toxic effects of heavy metals and the importance of monitoring and managing heavy metal pollution to protect human health and the environment.Heavy metal pollution is a growing environmental concern due to its adverse effects on humans and ecosystems. This review discusses the sources, properties, and toxicological effects of heavy metals, as well as their entry into the environment and their impact on human health. Heavy metals, defined by their high atomic weight or density, are toxic to both the environment and humans. Common heavy metals include aluminium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, silver, cadmium, mercury, and lead. These metals are found naturally in the Earth's crust but their increased use in agriculture, industry, and mining has led to significant environmental pollution. Heavy metal pollution enters the environment through various sources, including industrial activities, agricultural practices, and natural processes such as volcanic activity and weathering. Once in the environment, heavy metals can accumulate in soil, water, and air, entering the food chain and posing serious health risks. They can be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, leading to bioaccumulation in the body and causing a range of health issues, including neurological, liver, and kidney damage. The toxicological effects of heavy metals are complex and depend on factors such as the metal's oxidation state, its interaction with biological molecules, and the body's ability to detoxify them. Heavy metals can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disruptions in cellular functions, leading to diseases such as cancer. The review also highlights the importance of understanding the pharmacokinetic processes of heavy metals, including their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, to better understand their toxicological effects. The review emphasizes the need for effective pollution control measures, including proper waste management, regulation of industrial emissions, and the use of environmentally friendly practices in agriculture and industry. It also discusses the role of antioxidants in mitigating the toxic effects of heavy metals and the importance of monitoring and managing heavy metal pollution to protect human health and the environment.