Heavy metals are naturally existing elements that have relatively high atomic weight and a minimum density five times the density of water. Heavy metals have extensive applications in industries, homes, agriculture and medicine, leading to their wide distribution in the environment. Most heavy metals are reported to be highly toxic. They also have numerous exposure routes, including ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption, subsequently inducing some health effects resulting from human and heavy metals contact. The implications of heavy metals with regards to children's health have been noted to be more severe compared to adults. The element's harmful consequences on children health include mental retardation, neurocognitive disorders, behavioral disorders, respiratory problems, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Much attention should be given to heavy metals because of their high toxicity potential, widespread use, and prevalence. This review therefore examines the exposure routes and health effects of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and barium (Ba) on children. In addition, their toxic mechanisms are elucidated.

中文翻译：

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重金属的接触途径和对儿童的健康影响。

重金属是自然存在的元素，具有相对较高的原子量和最小密度，密度是水密度的五倍。重金属在工业，家庭，农业和医药中有广泛的应用，导致其在环境中的广泛分布。据报道，大多数重金属具有剧毒。它们还具有多种接触途径，包括食入，吸入和皮肤吸收，随后由于人与重金属的接触而引起一些健康影响。与成年人相比，重金属对儿童健康的影响更为严重。该元素对儿童健康的有害影响包括智力低下，神经认知障碍，行为障碍，呼吸系统疾病，癌症和心血管疾病。由于重金属具有高的潜在毒性，广泛的用途和普遍性，因此应给予高度重视。因此，本次审查探讨了汞（Hg），铅（Pb），铬（Cr），镉（Cd）和钡（Ba）对儿童的暴露途径和健康影响。另外，阐明了它们的毒性机理。