Heavy Metals and Metalloids

Arsenic

About: Arsenic (As) is a heavy metal that is a natural component of the earth’s crust and is widely distributed throughout the environment. It can be extremely toxic when ingested in large amounts and for long periods of time.

Sources of Exposure: Contaminated drinking water, using contaminated water in food preparation and irrigation of food crops, industrial processes, eating contaminated food and smoking tobacco (WHO).

Acute (Short Term) Exposure Health Effects:

Vomiting
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Skin lesions – can lead to cancer
Nerve damage – tingling and numbness

Chronic (Long Term) Exposure Health Effects:

Cancer-Skin,Lung, Bladder
Arsenic induced Heart Attack
“Black Foot Disease” (Gangrene)
Exposure while in utero and in early childhood;
- Infant mortality
- Lung disease
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Developmental delays – intelligence and memory

Informational Resources:

Cadmium

About: Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal commonly found in soils. While it does occur naturally in small amounts, human activity has significantly increased concentrations. This contamination can make its way into your body through crops that uptake the heavy metal, or be taken in from breathing in particles that have been kicked up. Cd has no apparent adverse side effects at low levels, but it does at high levels.

Sources of Exposure: Soil polluted by welding, electroplating, pesticide fertilizer, batteries, or nuclear fission plants.

Acute (Short Term) Exposure Health Effects:

Chills
Fever
Muscle pain
Lung damage

Chronic (Long Term) Exposure Health Effects:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Lung cancer
Chronic rhinitis
Deterioration of olfactory epithelium
Bronchitis
Renal tubular dysfunction
Bone defects

Informational Resources:

Chromium

About: Chromium (Cr) is a heavy metal that has many oxidation states with two forms being the most common.

Chromium (III): Insoluble compound and naturally occurring in animals and humans as an essential nutrient. While still associated with high exposure toxicity, Chromium (III) is poorly absorbed and therefore considered much less dangerous than Chromium (VI) (CDC).

Chromium (VI): Man-made compound, more commonly toxic due to its solubility and ability to diffuse through cellular membranes and reactive intermediates from intracellular reduction. CR (VI) has been deemed a human carcinogen by DHHS, EPA, WHO, and IARC.

Sources of Exposure: Chromate pigments/plating, smelting particles, stainless steel fumes, industrial workspaces, etc.

Acute (Short Term) Exposure Health Effects:

Asthma
Respiratory distress
- Runny nose, sneezing, coughing, itching, burning sensation
Gastrointestinal effects (abdominal/substernal pain)
Dermal effects (irritation to eyes and skin)
- Allergic contact dermatitis, skin ulcers

Chronic (Long Term) Exposure Health Effects:

Lung, nasal, and sinus cancer
Nose sores, perforation of nasal septum, etc.
DNA damage, gene mutation

Informational Resources:

Lead

About: Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal historically used for batteries, paints, ceramics, solder, and largely gasoline. In 1995, leaded gasoline was phased out in the US and significantly lowered lead emissions (3). There is no safe blood level of lead for children (2). Lead exposure can be prevented through phasing out of lead-containing products, as well as testing properties for lead contamination.

Sources of Exposure: Buildings and materials painted with paint containing lead and areas around old smelter sites.

Acute (Short Term) Exposure Health Effects (1):

Headaches
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Weakness

Chronic (Long Term) Exposure Health Effects (1,4):

Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
Attention-related behavioral problems
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Reduced fertility for men and women

Informational Resources:

References:

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