Recent examples of heavy metal contamination and health risks include the occurrence of Minamata disease, in Japan (1932–1968; lawsuits ongoing as of 2016); the Bento Rodrigues dam disaster in Brazil, and high levels of lead in drinking water supplied to the residents of Flint, Michigan, in the north-east of the United States.
Contoh terkini kontaminasi logam berat dan risiko kesehatan meliputi kasus penyakit Minamata, Jepang (1932-1968; tuntutan hukum tahun 2016); bencana bendungan Bento Rodrigues di Brazil, kandungan timbal yang tinggi pada pasokan air minum kepada penduduk Flint, Michigan, di timur laut Amerika Serikat.