Some of the health and environmental implications of heavy metals are damage to the body, development of serious diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, abortion, cancer, or contamination of wastewater and ecosystems.
Heavy metals are present in a variety of foods or products of everyday use. They are in the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe.
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There are natural levels of these elements in the human body and in the environment. However, these levels are currently in excessive amounts in air, water and land.
This is due to practices such as mining, dumping of sewage and the use of certain fuels.
These excesses are toxic in most ecosystems. They interfere with natural processes, pollute water and affect the health of animals and humans.
7 dangerous heavy metals and their implications on health and the environment
1. Mercury: Damage to the nervous system, spasms, contamination of breast milk
Mercury is a heavy metal that is used in different human activities such as mining, smelting, combustion of certain materials, some fertilizers and even wastewater.
It is because of all these activities that mercury can be spread by land, air, and water. It is estimated that 2,000 tons of this heavy metal are discharged into the atmosphere each year as a result of combustion in industry and transportation.
Therefore animals, food and humans can inhale or consume it very easily. Not to mention the fact that it is also present in elements of everyday use such as thermometers and dental resins.
When mercury enters the human body, it accumulates in the kidneys, blood, spleen, brain, liver, bones and fatty tissues. The body does not use this metal in any of its organic processes, so it simply accumulates.
When certain levels of this substance are reached, diseases may occur in the affected organs.
It can compromise the nervous system, cause muscle spasms and contaminate breast milk, thus transferring contamination to babies.
2. Aluminum: Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
Aluminum is present in many objects of everyday use. Aluminum foil, cans and kitchen utensils and some processed cheeses are examples of this. It is also common in the processes of mining and welding.
When it enters the body, aluminum accumulates in the kidneys, brain, lungs, liver and thyroid.
This metal is associated with the origin of different kinds of brain problems. Some of them are Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, diseases that have been shown to be related to the accumulation of high levels of aluminum in the brain .
3. Lead: abortions, hypertension, kidney problems
Lead is a metal that has traditionally been widely used in different household materials.
It is found in metal alloys, pipes, paints and pesticides. It has also been used in the manufacture of stained glass and paintings for artistic use.
Because of its high toxicity and the human body's ability to absorb it, many of these materials have been released. However, it is present in some foods and in tobacco smoke.
When it enters the body, lead passes into the bloodstream, accumulates in the bones, soft tissues and brain. That's why it can be very dangerous.
It can cause miscarriages, high blood pressure and kidney problems. It can also cause damage to the nervous system, impaired motor skills and even learning abilities.
4. Cadmium: diarrhea, vomiting, weakness
Cadmium is found in some foods like mushrooms, seafood and freshwater fish. It is also present in fertilizers and cigarettes.
The human body does not need cadmium in any quantity, so it can not process it. This metal takes a long time to leave the body and its negative consequences can be very serious.
Cadmium can cause intoxication with symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness. In addition, it accumulates in the kidneys blocking the leakage of toxins.
It can also cause great damage to the lungs, especially in smokers.
5. Chromium: problems in kidneys, liver and nervous tissues
Chromium is present in water and some food from the earth. It is also found in some substances used in the textile industry, in steel and in cigarettes.
The body absorbs chromium mainly through the skin. This metal is needed at very low levels, but excess can cause serious health problems.
Excessive levels of chromium can cause problems in the kidneys, liver, nerve tissues and even cancer.
6. Nickel: lung cancer, breast cancer, heart disease
Nickel is found in very low amounts in the environment or in jewelry that of steel that have some content of this metal. Intoxication can also occur when consuming foods that grow on contaminated soil.
This is a necessary element for the body by its participation in the formation of Red blood cells . However, when it is found in the body excessively, it can become very toxic.
Nickel is considered to be one of the major carcinogenic metals. Its excessive presence in the human body has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and breast cancer, as well as heart disease and developmental difficulties in childhood.
It is also associated with reproductive dysfunctions such as infertility and miscarriage. It also causes congenital defects in the fetus and problems in the nervous system.
7. Selenium: asthma and allergies in skin and eyes, headaches, fever
Selenium is found in some foods such as meat and cereals. Food usually contains it in non-toxic amounts, but when food grows on contaminated soil, it can reach very dangerous levels for life.
Selenium water contamination may occur from paint scraps or from the metal industry.
Air pollution caused by the combustion of coal and oil is also frequent.
This element is fundamental for the functioning of the human body. However, an excess of this metal can produce different alterations in the functioning of the organism.
One of the main risks is the development of respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergies in the eyes and skin.
Nausea, headaches, fever, nail and tooth stains, and weakening of the hair can also occur through inhalation in large quantities.
References
- Group, E. (2013). The Effects of Toxic Metals. Recovered from: globalhealingcenter.com
- Järup, L. (2003). Hazards of heavy metal contamination. Recovered from: academic.oup.com
- Line and health. (S.F.). Heavy Dangerous Metals. Recovered from: lineaysalud.com
- Port Moody Health. (S.F.). The impact of heavy metal toxicity on our health & ecosystem. Retrieved from: portmoodyhealth.com
- Sparks, D. (2005). Toxic Metals in the Environment: The Role of Surfaces. Recovered from: udel.edu.