Abstract:The impact of heavy metals on human health has both positive and negative aspects, it is necessary for scientists to carefully study how people""s daily exposure to heavy metals affect human health, and how to avoid their negative effects. Starting with the definition of heavy metals, the paper discusses the dual characteristics of toxic and harmful elements (cannot be generally called heavy metal elements) on human health. It is necessary to pay attention to both the content of toxic and harmful elements and the form of these elements. An appropriate amount of a certain form of heavy metal elements is beneficial to human health, and it is inappropriate to use "heavy metal" as a synonym for pollutants. In order to achieve the sustainable development of society and economy, it is necessary to closely cooperate with different professionals such as metallurgy, chemical industry, environment, medical health and management, and conduct in-depth research in the following directions: 1) classification of toxic and harmful pollutants; 2) Resource or harmless utilization of toxic and harmful pollutants; 3) The limit value and form of toxic and harmful pollutants entering the three wastes; 4) The way that toxic and harmful pollutants enter the human body through water, animals and plants, as well as their biochemical reactions in the human body and their effects.