There are numerous heavy metals in the environment both naturally and from pollution. Such as , copper, iron and zinc, play significant parts in the human bodies. the majority heavy metals can cause health harms
We may be exposed to the little quantity of heavy metals through food, water, air, and commercial products. We can also be exposed in their workplace, as numerous industries use or create these metals. Exposure only does not mean that it is causing some illness or damage.
Dear Noori,
More and more people are hearing about the links between heavy metal poisoning and many diseases. There is also a real explosion in the supply of detoxifying products. It is now about 40 years since a small handful of doctors and researchers in different parts of the world began to establish a clear link of cause and effect between chronic exposure to toxic heavy metals and many diseases. Since then, scientific research has only confirmed this thesis.
It is also important to note that the assertions made by some professionals that the quantity of mercury to which we are exposed is too small to be dangerous are in contradiction with the scientific literature and are therefore totally indefensible. Dentists do not receive training to measure symptoms due to mercury toxicity. The fact that the use of mercury for dental amalgams is banned in most European countries, shows finally the taking into account of the toxicity of this material.
Mercury is considered the most toxic non-radioactive substance for the body. It has a great affinity with our Nervous System, its presence in the various ganglions is harmful for our health, it disrupts strongly the enzymatic processes and the hormonal regulation. By way of example, it disrupts the Krebs cycle and the storage of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) by the mitochondria. This very often explains the problems of chronic fatigue that affect many people. Laboratory studies have shown that in a one-minute injection of one dose of mercury into any muscle of the body in 24 hours, it was rapidly found in the spinal cord and brain and was also present in Kidneys, lungs, blood circulation, connective tissue, adrenal glands and other endocrine glands. This metal tends to accumulate in the hypothalamus, a regulating organ of the ortho-sympathetic nervous system and in the limbic system.
It seems that we are coming back to talking about mercury and its effects on health, while there are many other toxic metals. Indeed,. research has shown that as long as mercury is present in our body even in small quantities, it strongly inhibits the body's natural detoxification mechanisms and the elimination of other toxic metals. By entering the cell, mercury destroys the peroxisomes that are the intracellular organelles that are essential for the natural elimination of toxic substances. Many people also show an allergy to mercury and this prevents its elimination from the body. It is essential to identify the allergic reaction to mercury and to treat it effectively in parallel with any evacuating treatment. Failure to do so leaves the immune system under permanent stress, weakens our immunity and opens the door to infectious, autoimmune and neoplastic (cancer) pathologies.
The devastating action of mercury, which acts in synergy with the other toxic metals present in our system, always manifests itself on different levels :
Physically: Heavy metal poisoning can cause multiple symptoms that begin with systemic functional disturbances, causing pain and other malfunctions. For example, mercury is not likely to be limited to blocking the enzyme that allows mitochondrial respiration, but it may also interfere with almost all enzyme systems in our bodies. These disturbances can go as far as the development of heavy pathologies. The unprecedented increase in the number of cases of cancer and degenerative neurological diseases clearly explains these pathogenic principles.
On the emotional level: The person intoxicated by heavy metals is not in touch with his true emotions. Such people have a sense of isolation and feel victimized.
On the mental plane: The person intoxicated by mercury (or other toxic metals) fails to think clearly, does not memorize correctly and difficulties to make the right decisions.
Spiritually: An intoxicated person loses confidence in life, feels isolated and unloved. It lacks inner serenity and tends to feel rejected.
With my best regards
Prof. Bachir ACHOUR
That was a very good answer by Bachir.
I would like to add that Iron is possibly the most misused heavy metal because we often forget that it is a double edged sword, a necessary evil, with apparent deficiency often being a defence rather than a defect. Various aspects of this are dealt with in my paper uploaded in ResearchGate
Narayanan
Dear Noori, Have some more insight of heavy metals toxicity/exposure on the following web source link..Best..
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4144270/
Fish consumption could possibly increase Hg (Mercury) exposures and lead to poor childhood cognitive development
I would like to thank you all for the important feed back and the useful comments. My regards to you all for your time..
Diagnosing chronic heavy metal poisoning can be challenging for both health care suppliers and patients since there frequently are a lot of additional questions than answers.
However, the diagnosis of chronic heavy metal poisoning relies on having a identified contact and positive results on approved tests that are precise to every metal.
Please be advised that arsenic is still an issues as well. It was, for example, used in wood treating facilities and insecticides and accumulated in the environment.
Environmental Health Criteria 224
World Health Organization
The Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) was established in 1995 by UNEP, ILO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, WHO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (Participating Organizations), following recommendations made by the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development to strengthen cooperation and increase coordination in the field of chemical safety. Th
Arsenic and arsenic compounds.
(Environmental health criteria ; 224)
1.Arsenic - toxicity
2.Arsenicals - toxicity
3.Environmental exposure
Link : www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc224.htm
In general human are exposed to heavy metals by environment/drinking water/eatables. Pollution, pollution every where, the air we in hale, the water that we drink are polluted in most of the places especially industrial belts. All wastage turn either to rivers or oceans or soil. Ultimately the hazardous material deposited there. Later what ever the plants/trees grow there eventually take/absorb water from the same soil and do possess the contaminants. Animals who graze on the same filed/drink water are sufferers.
Heavy metals and living systems: An overview
(http://www.ijp-online.com/temp/IndianJPharmacol433246-1129989_030819.pdf)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
(https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/heavy-metal-poisoning/)
32 Surprising Sources of Toxic Heavy Metals
(http://www.care2.com/greenliving/31-surprising-sources-of-toxic-heavy-metals.html)
Exposure to heavy metals may happen by the diet, from medications, from the environment, or in the course of work or play. wherever heavy metal toxicity is supposed, time taken to carry out a thorough dietary, occupational, and recreational history is time well used up, as recognition and exclusion of the basis of exposure is often the only treatment necessary.
Toxic metals, including "heavy metals," are individual metals and metal compounds that negatively influence people's health. a number of toxic, semi-metallic elements, including arsenic and selenium, are discussed in this page. In extremely little amounts, many of these metals are essential to maintain life. on the other hand, in larger amounts, they turn into toxic. They may build up in biological systems and develop into a significant health hazard
See :https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/metalsheavy/
Through many ways human can have exposures to metals through wAter or food as bio accumulation in fish tissues. or direct exposures through work.
And the elevated concentration of metals can cause serious diseases.
And please read the USEPAand WHOguidelines for exposure.
Kind regards
How am I exposed?
Mercury
Mercury is in our air from the combustion of diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil. It deposits on land and water, then concentrates in the food chain.
Mercury is also emitted by the coal-burning power plant in Centralia, and by manufacturers, oil refineries, medical waste disposal facilities, dental offices, and cremation facilities.
When mercury gets into water, bacteria convert it to toxic methylmercury, which builds up in fish. When we eat fish that contain mercury, it tags along and settlefluorescent light bulbs in our bodies.
Mercury is in many consumer products, including: fluorescent light bulbs, electrical fixtures, auto switches, thermostats, medical equipment, and dental amalgam fillings. Mercury is also used in thermometers, although this use in Washington is being phased out in favor of non-mercury digital thermometers.
Arsenicwood in playground
Until 2002, arsenic compounds were used to treat wood to prevent rot. The arsenic leaches out into soil and rubs off the wood on to people or animals.
Arsenic is also in the soil from smelters and some pesticides.
Arsenic compounds are still used to make special glass, semi-conductors (gallium arsenide), some paints, dyes, metals, soaps, and drugs.
Seafood can contain arsenic (although in a less-toxic form), as does drinking water in some locations.
Lead
Lead is in frighteningly large array of consumer products, from art supplies and automobile components to speciality paints, some hair dyes, and even candy.
PVC products often contain lead.
Gasoline and paint are now lead-free in the U.S. and many other countries. But despite a 1978 ban, lead paint on the walls of older homes and buildings continues to be a primary source of lead exposure for children. In certain areas and homes, lead from paint contaminates soil and house dust too.
Drinking water can contain lead that leaches out of pipes.
Some soils in Washington are contaminated with lead from two now-shuttered smelters (facilities that process metals) or past use of the pesticide lead arsenate in orchards.
Workers exposed to lead on the job can bring it home on clothing and shoes, exposing their family members.
Why should I be concerned?
Lead and mercury exact their most devastating toll on the developing brain.
Children exposed to lead at a young age are more likely to suffer from shorter attention spans and are less able to read and learn than their peers.
Children with above-average mercury exposures have learning difficulties.
Recent studies also suggest that arsenic can harm the developing brain.
Many other health effects of these metals are well-known.
Metal
Common Health Effects
(some occur only at high exposure levels)
Lead behavioral problems
high blood pressure, anemia
kidney damage
memory and learning difficulties
miscarriage, decreased sperm production
reduced IQ
Mercury blindness and deafness brain damage
digestive problems
kidney damage
lack of coordination
mental retardation
Arsenic breathing problems
death if exposed to high levels
decreased intelligence
known human carcinogen: lung and skin cancer
nausea, diarrhea, vomiting
peripheral nervous system problems
What can government and industry do?
Only relatively recently have people begun to take action to curtail the use of mercury, arsenic, and lead. Local advocacy and legislation have made a difference in reducing continued pollution with these metals.
Lead - Decades of evidence on lead’s health effects were amassed before the metal was banned in paint and gasoline, and lead is still allowed in many consumer products.
Arsenic - Arsenic-treated wood was extremely widely used before manufacturers agreed to phase it out.
Mercury - Recently, a number of states, including Washington and Oregon, have passed legislation to address mercury use in products such as thermometers and thermostats, but major sources like coal burning continue.
Mercury - King County has had tremendous success in reducing mercury pollution from dental offices by cracking down on dentists to keep mercury out of their wastewater. Mercury in dental offices comes from amalgam fillings, which are about half mercury by weight. State law requires dentists to use devices called separators, which remove mercury from wastewater, but compliance in the past has been poor. By conducting inspections and threatening fines, King County was able to achieve 97% compliance and a 50% reduction in mercury in wastewater between 2000 and 2003 (King County 2005).
The following actions would reduce ongoing exposure to these toxic heavy metals:
Lead, mercury, and arsenic should be phased out of products.
Coal burning should be replaced with conservation and cleaner sources of fuel for energy production. In the meantime, existing coal-fired power plants should be required to install the best technology to limit mercury emissions.
Contaminated sites should be cleaned up promptly and fully. Where a large geographic area is contaminated, state government should take measures to ensure facilities such as schools and day care centers are not sited on contaminated soil.
Solid-waste and medical-waste incinerators should be shut down and replaced with waste and toxicity reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting programs.
Health care facilities, including hospitals and dental offices, should phase out mercury-containing products in favor of safer alternatives.
Government agencies should expand programs to remove, collect, and safely store mercury from thermostats, thermometers, and switches.
School districts should take remedial action to eliminate lead exposure to children from school drinking water.
How can I reduce my exposure?
We come into contact with lead, mercury, and arsenic in many ways, but there are some steps we can take to reduce our exposure.
Remove treated wood. Remove wood treated with the preservatives CCA or ACZA, which contain arsenic. If removing arsenic-treated wood is not an option, you can paint or seal the wood to reduce leaching and contact exposure. Choose semi-transparent deck stains for deck surfaces and play structures, and latex paint for fences, tables, and other furniture. Reapply the coating when it shows signs of deterioration.
Avoid fish high in mercury. Avoid fish high in mercury, such as king mackerel, tilefish, swordfish, orange roughy, and marlin. Limit consumption of tuna, especially steaks and canned ‘white’ albacore. Lower-mercury choices include wild salmon, sardines, anchovies, Atlantic herring, Dungeness crab, Pacific cod, Alaskan black cod, farmed striped bass, tilapia, farmed catfish, clams, mussels, and Pacific oysters.
If you eat sport-caught fish, check for specific guidance on mercury levels in Washington water bodies or coastal waters. Fish and shellfish advisories are available from the Washington State Department of Health
Limiting mercury intake from fish is especially important for young children and women who are pregnant, nursing, or of child-bearing age.
You can find additional guidance on fish choices at the following websites:
Environmental Defense’s Oceans Alive: Best and Worst Seafood
Environmental Working Group: Mercury in Seafood (includes Tuna Calculator):
Fish are an excellent source of nutrients, including protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D, and we encourage people to continue eating fish following these precautions.
Watch for lead paint. If you live in a home built before 1978, it is likely to contain lead-based paint. If the paint is chipping, peeling, or otherwise deteriorating, or if you want to remodel, hire a certified abatement worker to remove or contain contaminated paint. Use door mats, remove shoes at the door, and vacuum and clean regularly to reduce lead that accumulates in house dust.
Protect drinking water. Avoid exposure to lead that may be leaching from plumbing by flushing your cold water pipes (run water until it becomes as cold as it will get) before drinking, and only use cold water for drinking or cooking.
Avoid PVC. Choose alternatives to products made of PVC, which often contain lead, especially for items that are likely to come into direct contact with children’s hands and mouths, such as toys, teethers, and lunchboxes. Old toys and furniture made prior to 1978 may also contain lead-based paint. For consumer product safety information and recalls for lead products, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website.
Watch for lead in dishware. Do not use old, imported, or homemade ceramic dishware, unless you know that the glazes do not contain lead. Avoid leaded crystal, as well as imported food cans, which can contain lead solder.
Make sure medicines are free of toxic metals. Some home remedies, as well as drugs and cosmetics, can contain these metals. Look at ingredient lists, talk to your doctor, and avoid folk remedies and other medicines that contain lead, arsenic, or mercury.
Be cautious with mercury-containing products.When possible, choose products without mercury, such as digital thermostats and thermometers. Be careful not to break fluorescent light bulbs, mercury thermometers, or other household items containing liquid mercury. These products release harmful mercury vapors when broken. If they do break, use appropriate clean-up methods, see the EPA's web site.
Check paints and art supplies. Avoid paints containing mercury compounds, which are still found in some paints as pigments. Also avoid lead solder and artists’ paints and glazes that contain lead. Information on some products containing these ingredients is available from the Household Products Database. Otherwise, ask the manufacturer.
Skip herbicides with arsenic. Avoid arsenic-containing herbicides, which have ingredients listed as monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA), calcium acid methanearsonate, or cacodylic acid.
Consider composite fillings. Consider choosing composite dental fillings rather than mercury-containing amalgam fillings.
Contaminated sites should be cleaned up quickly and completely. Where a great geographic area is contaminated, state government should take actions to make sure services for example schools and day care centers are not located on contaminated soil.
Drinking water that is contaminated with metals and eating fish with high metal content are additional methods that the community might be exposed to metals
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