Taking a Look at Heavy Metals

Zinc, number 30 on the periodic table and a bluish-white metallic element, exists naturally in air, water and soil. It is present everywhere in the environment. All life on earth has evolved in the presence of zinc. Natural processes such as erosion, forest fires, aerosol formation above the seas and volcanic eruptions continuously transport Zinc. Zinc melts at about 420° C and boils at about 907° C. Zinc is efficient for plants. Zinc-deficient soils present in many parts of the world are a cause of low crop yields. Not only does it help plants but also the human body. It is responsible for the proper functioning of more than 300 enzymes in the human body, and is vital for the immune system. It will also fight against cold

Magnesium and Zinc are tied at 33% DV. Both support healthy immune systems. Zinc is essential for DNA and protein synthesis; and accelerates wound healing. Magnesium is known as the anti-stress mineral and promotes a

Zinc is an essential mineral, it is either added or naturally present in foods. You can find since added in many cold lozenges and a few over the counter cold remedies. There are numerous aspects of cellular activity that zinc is apart of. A few examples would be protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. While Zinc can also support a normal growth and development for women during pregnancy, as well as a child and adolescence. A daily intake of zinc is needed in order to maintain since the body has no specialized zinc storage system. To determine the proper intake recommendations of Zinc, using the Dietary Reference Intakes can help determine the right amount.

Elements are present in different forms in the nature, and these elements are very essential for the body to perform different functions. Trace elements are very important for cell functions at biological, chemical and molecular levels. These elements mediate vital biochemical reactions by acting as cofactors for many enzymes, as well as act as centers for stabilizing structures of enzymes and

The body also needs zinc to make proteins and DNA, the genetic material in all cells

Unwanted effects that are caused by Lead in the human body (Goyer, 1986) and (Jarup, 2003):

Overpowering metals accumulate in the body, initiating various achievement issues and impacts all organs in the body.

The human body is very advanced and has a complex homeostatic mechanism that tries to make sure that a steady supply of copper is always at the ready in the body, but also regulates and gets rid of excess copper if need be. But like many other nutrients and elements in the human body, very little intake of copper is needed. when too much copper has been ingested within the body, it will cause a number of resulting health effects. In Most cases copper ingestion comes from drinking water that has come straight from the copper piping in your house. In addition, when acidic foods are cooked in household copper pans it will intern give off copper due to the food corroding a thin layer of copper off the pan. Many of you may not know but

The mineral iron (Fe) is a crucial substance for the human body. Many parts of the body, including red blood cells, require iron in order for the body to function normally. Only specific amounts of iron are absorbed by the body to maintain homeostasis. However, iron is a very toxic mineral so if there is too much iron stored in the body, it can lead to serious consequences. People that suffer from haemochromatosis, a hereditary iron disorder, are unable to regulate the amount of iron absorbed from their diet. Almost all iron in the intestine is absorbed into the blood stream and because the human body has no major way to rid of excess iron, it is stored in organs and joints of the body where it can cause serious harm. Typically, the body stores one gram or less of iron but people with haemochromatosis can have up

Zinc got it’s name from a German word “Zink”. Zink has very helpful uses. Zinc is used to make white blood cells in your body also used to make other metals such as Brass and

Cancer can be caused from occupational exposure to cadmium. Flu like symptoms can be caused from acute inhalation exposure and can damage the lungs. Kidney, bone, and lung disease can be caused from chronic exposure. According to OSHA the primary health effects which has been observed are lung cancer and kidney damage (osha.gov).

Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. It is needed for the body's immune system to properly work and help fight off the things that do not need to be in the body. It plays a role in cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and the breakdown of carbohydrates. Zinc is also needed for the senses of smell and taste. Without zinc your appetite might start to decrease.

(Multiple facts in this section are from one source, so citations are towards the end of topics). Do you ever use a smart phone? A remote control for your television? A flashlight? Or perhaps even driven in an all-electric car? All these things have one common trait, they rely on batteries. One of the key components in batteries is Cadmium, a metallic element found in pieces of ore across the globe with over 86% of its entire population used in batteries (“What is Cadmium?”). Pure Cadmium is rare to find, just like iron it is often drilled and mined and then smelted into a pure form. This form of extraction is one of the key ways Cadmium becomes air born and exposed to the environment. I believe that Cadmium is quite dangerous for the same reason that lead exposure is dangerous, it is used in our everyday lives constantly, leaving us in high risk if not handled properly. There are actually quite a few ways someone can be exposed to Cadmium such as through foods like mushrooms, shellfish, cocoa powder, and dried seaweed (“Chemical Properties of Cadmium…”). Cadmium can also be ingested by smoking. The smoking of Tabaco transports large amounts of Cadmium to the lungs where blood then transfers it to the rest of the body increasing the amount of Cadmium that might already be present from Cadmium rich foods. As well as damaging the lungs and blood, Cadmium also damages the liver and kidney. When it is transferred by the blood to the liver, it builds up in the kidneys and

A) Heavy metal: According to the textbook, heavy metal is “a metal that has a high atomic weight with a specific gravity that exceeds the specific gravity of water by five or more times. There are a number of different heavy metals and some examples of heavy metal are arsenic, lead, and mercury” (Friis, 2012, p. 129). Besides, metals come from the earth itself and if we as human beings intake a lot of these heavy metals then our body will not have a positive reaction towards these metals.

Have you or someone you know experienced tremors, insomnia, mood swings, headaches, or even neuromuscular changes? These serious symptoms commonly found in patients suffering from Parkinson’s, brain tumors, and multiple sclerosis. However, what if these symptoms were not a result of disease but a common metal? Located on the periodic table of elements and considered a transition metal that is shiny and fast moving. Named after the fastest moving planet in our solar system; the ancients believed it was the “first matter” from which all other metals were formed. Commonly found back in the day at dentist offices, doctors offices and maybe even your own home. Mercury, or quicksilver, is a well known element today.