Heavy metal poisoning can happen when you are exposed to a high quantity of certain types of heavy metals. It affects the way your body works, and you can become very sick from it. Mercury, arsenic, and lead are all heavy metals you’re probably familiar with. They are in our water, soil, and products we use daily.
Small quantities of heavy metals are generally not harmful, but when our bodies are bombarded with high levels of heavy metals, they can become problemsome. Heavy metal toxicity can happen if you breathe in large amounts of contaminated dust or fumes, or even if you drink something tainted with heavy metals. People like welders who are exposed to heavy metals daily can absorb the toxins through their skin as well.
There are many different types of toxic metals, including:
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Copper
- Nickel
- Lead
- Mercury
- Thallium
Not all metals are dangerous to your health, and some of them our bodies require to stay healthy. We need small amounts of iron, copper, and zinc for our cells to function properly. Heavy metal poisoning generally occurs due to long term exposure of certain heavy metals.
For example, lead poisoning is one of the most commonly known forms of heavy metal poisoning, and is usually caused by exposure to lead-based paint. Lead is a highly toxic metal that can cause a range of health problems, especially in young children. Homes built before 1978 can contain lead-based paint, and people can be exposed to the lead when they try to sand, remove, or repaint.
Other sources are more surprising and not as obvious. For example, did you know that breast implants also have lead-based solder in them? Here’s a full look at the toxins in implants: