Common Types Of Heavy Metal Poisoning

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There are many sources of heavy metal toxins.  Mercury amalgam fillings, pesticides and rat poisons are just a few common products that contain heavy metals.  Industrial exposure is most common for adults, but children usually ingest toxins.  Here’s a rundown of the most common causes of  heavy metal poisoning.

Arsenic  According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Arsenic is the most common type of heavy metal poisoning for adults. Occupational Exposure can occur in the wood-working, glass making, or even the electronics industry.  Approximately 90% of the arsenic produced in America is used to preserve wood, but it is also widely used as a pesticide particularly for cotton.  Arsenic is also found in some pretty common household substances like laundry detergent, some sea food and even tap water.

Lead Lead is the leading cause of heavy metal toxicity for children.  Lead based paint is the culprit.  This type of paint was banned in 1978, but anything built before then is likely to have a lead based paint somewhere.  As the houses age and the paint deteriorates it becomes lead contaminated house dust.  If young children play in this environment and put their hands or their toys in their mouth they may be ingesting toxic lead dust.  Some candies imported from Mexico and toys imported from China may contain lead.  In production lead is used in batteries, ammunition, and fuel additives.

Mercury  Mercury is used in the thermometer and battery industries.  It is present in fish, fungicides and of course mercury amalgam fillings.  Amalgams in teeth are about 50% mercury.  Mercury was also used  in paint as a fungicide up until 1990, but the primary source of mercury contamination is polluted water.

Cadmium  Cadmium is used in batteries, paints and PVC plastics.  It is also widely used in the agricultural industry in fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides.

Aluminum Aluminum is not a heavy metal, but there is some evidence to suggest that it is connected with Alzheimer’s disease.  Aluminum is present in cans, deodorants, antacids and buffered aspirin.  You might consider replacing your aluminum cookware with a steel or enamel coated product.  Try not to use aluminum fould.  Particularly with acidic foods.

These are only the most common sources of heavy metal poisoning.  All of these can be inhaled or ingested, but it is possible to absorb toxic amounts of heavy metals through the skin as well.  Symptoms vary and can resemble the symptoms of other chronic diseases.  If you‘ve been exposed to heavy metal toxins please tell you doctor.