Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements found in the earth’s crust. Some of them, such as cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg), can be toxic to human health if they accumulate in the body.
Main sources of heavy metal exposure:
- Food: Heavy metals can contaminate food through water, soil or air. Some examples of foods at higher risk of contamination are:
- Cereals and leafy vegetables: Cd
- Food, water and air: As
- Vegetable products: Pb
- Seafood, rice and carrots: Hg
- Drinking water: Drinking water can become contaminated with heavy metals through mining, agriculture or industry.
- Air: Air can become contaminated with heavy metals through fossil fuel burning, industrial activity or waste incineration.
Health effects:
The effects of heavy metals on human health depend on the type of metal, the dose, and the duration of exposure. Some of the most common effects are:
- Kidney function problems: Cd, As, Pb.
- Liver function problems: Pb
- Nervous system problems: Hg
- Gastrointestinal tract problems: Hg
- Cancer: As
- Osteoporosis: Cd
- Blood vessel damage: As
- Reduction of calcium, zinc and selenium content: Pb
Prevention measures:
- Consume food from safe sources: Buy food from reliable places and avoid food that may be contaminated.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly: Scrub them with running water and a brush to remove soil and other contaminants.
- Use water filters: Water filters can remove some of the heavy metals from drinking water.
- Avoid exposure to polluted air: Do not breathe near areas with high air pollution.
Bottom line:
Heavy metals are a threat to human health. It is important to take steps to avoid exposure to these elements and protect our health.
If you are concerned about heavy metal exposure, consult your physician for testing and personalized recommendations.
For more information on the dangers of heavy metals, you can consult the following sources:
- World Health Organization (WHO): [invalid URL removed].
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): [invalid URL removed].
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