CRITICAL REVIEW OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION IN WATER AND ITS ADVERSE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Water is vital to Earth's ecosystems and essential for all living beings. However, heavy metal contamination in water sources is rising,posing serious health risks.Despite technological advancements,heavy metal levels in drinking water often exceed safe limits set by regulatory bodies like WHO,BIS,and EPA.Contaminants such as arsenic,cadmium,nickel, mercury, chromium, zinc, and lead bioaccumulate in the human body, increasing the risk of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.Pollution from domestic,agricultural,and industrial waste further degrades water quality.This review highlights the impact of heavy metal pollution and emphasizes the need for awareness and mitigation.