[Reflections and prospects on the health risks posed by heavy metals and their new materials]

Occupational heavy metal exposure has become a critical issue in China's high-quality economic development within the field of occupational health. Current occupational exposure now extends beyond traditional contaminants like lead and mercury to include emerging materials such as rare earth elements, forming a dual pollution pattern that combines both conventional and novel pollutants. These substances can damage multiple bodily systems including the nervous and respiratory systems, imposing significant disease burdens on working populations. This paper examines the mechanisms of traditional heavy metals' toxicity, highlighting their distinct indirect neurotoxic effects compared to previous understanding. It analyzes exposure pathways and multi-system toxicological effects of rare earth elements, clarifying current gaps in their toxicology research and standardization efforts while identifying future research directions. The study aims to provide theoretical references for improving occupational heavy metal exposure prevention systems, thereby laying the foundation for safeguarding workers' health and addressing new challenges in modern occupational health.