Short Overview of Heavy Metals Effects for Plants and Human Health and Their Determination in Medicinal Plants

In the last years, the soil pollution with heavy metals has raised significant concern worldwide due to food safety and human health interests. Excessive concentrations of metals have been found in agricultural soils and also in crops sowed from the common agricultural activities such as direct sludge application to agricultural land as an amendment. In this context, a multitude of techniques have been employed to determine the metal elements from different kind of materials or environmental factors. Therefore, the aim of this paper is focused on two objectives: (i) a short investigation on the toxic effects caused by heavy metals contamination for plants and human health, and (ii) to review the existing techniques used in the determination of heavy metals from soil and plants / plant products. Our paper emphasizes the need for strict legislation regarding the maximum permissible heavy metal concentrations in medicinal plants.