Electrochemical sensors and biosensors: effective tools for detecting heavy metals in water and food with possible implications for children's health

Abstract

Heavy metals are considered to seriously threatens food safety and children’s health. Children are particularly vulnerable to environmental threats because they respond differently to stressors than adults, largely due to their immature immune systems. Thus, highly sensitive and specific technology is urgently required to detect toxic heavy metals in food rapidly. This review aims to present electrochemical (bio)sensors for detecting heavy metals, especially in focusing on nickel, lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and aluminum, with the various electrode modification materials and provide a broad overview of heavy metals toxicosis as a background for sustained investigations of the toxicology these compounds of children health importance.