Signs and Symptoms of Heavy Metal Poisoning
The environment is exposed 24/7 to harmful chemical elements. Among these chemicals are heavy metals like mercury, lead, arsenic, and chromium. Without their knowledge, individuals are faced with daily exposure to heavy metal compounds. The most common methods of heavy metal poisoning are inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Initial exposure to these harmful metals may not be that bad due to lesser amounts. But as these build up within the body overtime, health problems set in. Trace elements are not only found within industrial and household products. Some vegetables and fruits also contain copper, zinc, iron, and zinc.
The toxicity of heavy metals emerges when these are excreted or metabolized within the body. The longer the exposure is, the more they accumulate within the tissues and organs. These metals get into the body through the people’s water supply, food, air exposure, and skin pore absorption. A common exposure route for the adults is industrial exposure. Workers within pharmaceutical, some manufacturing, and agricultural industries are more likely to be exposed to heavy metals. One of the most common types of these toxic metals is mercury, which is found within mining operations, paper industries, and chloroalkali plants. These are also found in dental fillings, vaccines, and thermometers.
Children are mostly exposed to heavy metals due to accidental ingestion. Exposure to high toxic heavy metal levels result from basic hands-to-mouth activities. This usually happens when kids play on contaminated soil. This is also possible, when children chew or ingest materials or things that are made from raw heavy metal materials.
The symptoms and signs of high toxicity level are based on the metal involved. These are also based on the type of toxicity, which are chronic and acute toxicity. Chronic exposure to heavy metals leads to gradual toxicity, which can develop for months and years. The symptoms and signs include changes to the skin, impaired motor, language, and cognitive abilities, malaise, lethargy, nausea, emotional instability, and insomnia.
On the other hand, acute exposure can lead to rapid or severe onset of health problems due to high toxicity levels. The symptoms and signs for this include difficulty in breathing, vomiting, nausea, cramping, head pains, sweating, skin rash, and convulsion.
Atlanta, Georgia mandated the establishment of the ATSDR, which is an agency for disease and toxic substances. The ATSDR is a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It performs certain functions that concern adverse health problems and negative effects to an individual’s lifestyle due to toxic substances exposure. The ATSDR assesses waste sites and industries that are constantly exposed to toxic elements and compounds. It also provides health information that concern harmful substances. This information includes first aid response to situations caused by hazardous substance poisoning. What is more, it provides training and education regarding toxic substances. In collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, the ATSDR has gathered a list of top dangerous substances for the year 2001. Heavy metals appear on this list, with arsenic as the first, lead as second, mercury as third, and cadmium as the seventh.
