Title: The most common heavy metals, their sources and their effects - Family Wellness HQ
Headings: The most common heavy metals, their sources and their effects
The most common heavy metals, their sources and their effects
Common heavy metals:
ALUMINUM
ANTIMONY
ARSENIC
BARIUM
BISMUTH
CADMIUM
LEAD
MERCURY
NICKEL
TIN
URANIUM

Content: Inorganic forms of Arsenic, such as Arsenite and Arsenate are generally known to be more toxic and are mainly of geological origin. These can be found in agricultural soil and groundwater used for drinking or irrigation. When the water comes into contact with Arsenic containing minerals or deposits it causes exposure to humans and other life forms mainly through daily ingestion of contaminated food or water. Other ways of Arsenic absorption are through lungs and skin. Industrially, Arsenic and its compounds are mainly used in the production of pesticides, herbicides and insecticides as well as in semiconductor manufacturing to strengthen copper and lead alloys during batteries manufacturing process. Due to its toxicity to insects, bacteria and fungi, Arsenic is still added to animal food (mainly in US grown industrial poultry and swine production) as a method of growth stimulation and disease prevention. In addition, an estimated of 70% of the world’s Arsenic production is being utilized every year in the preservation of timber used for outdoor products such as residential decks, play structures, fence enclosures or picnic tables. If these products were built before 2004 and have a greenish tinge, there are great changes that they were treated with Arsenic to prevent decay or insect damage. Research has shown that when raining, this Arsenic-based wood preservative leaches from wood and it can be rubbed off from the treated surfaces when in contact with the skin. Children who play on structures or other treated surfaces pick up Arsenic on their hands and later on ingest it when they put their hands in their mouth, rub their eyes or eat.