Various metals are present in our surroundings. Some are caused by natural environmental flora, some by human waste, and most of the time, some by pollution.
Heavy metals are a relatively similar group of metals with everyday uses. While they can be notably toxic to health, some are essential and vital in many aspects of life.
Though it has no exact meaning in chemistry, heavy metal is used to describe it using quantitative criteria that measure heavy metals' atomic weight, atomic number, and density level.
Some heavy metals, such as manganese, cadmium, copper, zinc, and iron, have essential benefits for our body and aid in effective bodily functions.
What are the different kinds of heavy metal, and what are their uses?
Heavy metals are helpful for our health and various aspects of our lives. Some practical benefits of heavy metals used daily are lead, iron, tungsten, and copper.
These heavy metals are used in certain industries. For example, tungsten and copper are used to make golf balls, iron is used to make buildings, and lead is used to create plastic containers.
Heavy metals such as gold, platinum-palladium, and uranium can be used in some fields as conductive coatings for electron introduction. Manganese and zinc are abundant in foods like vegetables and fruits and play important roles in keeping us healthy.
Are heavy metals safe for our health?
Though helpful, heavy metals can also be toxic to our health. When consumed in more than the trace amount the body needs, some, such as iron, cause a certain disorder in the blood.
Medically known as Hemochromatosis, a condition wherein red blood cell production increases in the body is iron overload.
Although the signs and symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, and joint pain are the same as in Iron Deficiency Anemia or IDA, only blood tests can verify whether the disorder is hemochromatosis or iron deficiency anemia.
Iron, a heavy metal, can turn clear water to brown and give water a foul odor. Iron is also one of the leading causes of sediments and turbidity in water. Lead and copper, in the same group of heavy metals, can also be toxic to our health.
Lead and copper are commonly used to manufacture toys. By accident, sometimes, children swallow toys made out of lead or copper, which causes acute heavy metal poisoning.
The signs and symptoms of acute heavy metal poisoning are nausea and vomiting, numbness, and confusion, which can sometimes lead to coma.
When people are exposed to heavy metal toxicity due to pollution and radiation for an extended period, it can also lead to chronic heavy metal poisoning. In chronic heavy metal poisoning, the symptoms can be severe.
Some symptoms are weakness, fatigue, constipation, and muscle and joint pain. Chronic heavy metal poisoning can hardly be detected because it develops slowly.
How can we treat heavy metal poisoning?
Nowadays, there are significant ways to test and treat heavy metal poisoning. The most common way to treat heavy metal poisoning is the Chelation Challenge Test, most commonly called the "Provoked Urine Test."
In this test, chelators, chemicals designed to attach heavy metals to the body, are used. They are given by mouth or intravenously and excreted through urine.
There are some tests available nowadays that can check the level of heavy metal toxicity in the body without undergoing invasive procedures.
Heavy metals may be found in water since metal is used in various products.
The public water system uses copper, lead, and rigid plastic pipes.
This can also be a source of heavy metals in drinking water. If the accumulation of heavy metals in drinking water is more than the trace amount the body needs, this can cause toxicity to our bodies.
The question is, "How can we assure ourselves that we are not exposed to heavy metals?"
There is no proof that exposure to heavy metals in the body can lead to death. Though it can lead to chronic heavy metal poisoning, it develops over a long period.
Even though heavy metal toxicity is the primary cause, death only happens due to complications in untreated heavy metal poisoning.
How can we treat contaminated drinking water?
As the saying goes, "Prevention is better than cure." Being a family member, we have to ensure that their health is maintained or, better yet, improved to function effectively and that they are receiving the best and are free from disease.
Since water is a vital source of life and can cause diseases, we must ensure that the water they drink is free from microorganisms, turbidity, and heavy metals, thus keeping the family safe.
Berkey is scientifically tested to filter out and remove these substances in water.
Black Berkey® Elements dramatically reduce trihalomethanes, inorganic minerals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, VOCs, petroleum products, perfluorinated chemicals, rust, silt, sediment, radiological, and more.
Now, you can ensure that silent killers are never present at home and that they are always safe.
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