Heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, mercury or chromium, may be present in contaminated water, which can contaminate the air and also food causing health problems over the years, manifested through the onset of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or excessive tiredness, for example.
But heavy metals can also be present in some household objects like toys, medicines, wall paint or bulbs.
Generally, heavy metals do not cause symptoms when they first come in contact with the body, however, they have the ability to accumulate within the cells of the body, causing problems like kidney changes such as kidney failure, brain damage and exists the suspicion that may also increase the risk of cancer.
See how you can avoid contact with these substances in: How to avoid heavy metal contamination.
Symptoms of 6 Major Heavy Metals
The 6 heavy metals that are most dangerous to health are Mércurio, arsenic, lead, barium, cadmium and chromium. Learn how to identify the signs of contamination of each of them:
1. Signs of mercury contamination
Mercury contamination causes:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased blood pressure and, in the long run, kidney or brain problems, as well as changes in vision, hearing, and memory problems.
- Sources of mercury contamination : waters contaminated with mercury, direct contact with mercury, contact with the interior of the lamps and batteries and some dental treatments.
How to avoid mercury contamination It is important not to consume mercury-contaminated food and water, and you should replace all mercury-containing objects in your composition, especially old thermometers and bulbs.
- Know what can happen if you are contaminated with mercury.
2. Signs of arsenic contamination
Arsenic is a type of heavy metal that can cause the following:
- Nausea, vomiting, change in heart rhythm and sensation of balls in hands and feet. Even when the contact happens for a long time, it can lead to cancer of the skin, lungs, liver or bladder.
- Sources of Arsenic Contamination: Can be found in paints, dyes, medicines, soaps, as well as fertilizers and pesticides. In addition, arsenic can also be found in the water from private wells that are not regularly tested and disinfected by the Water and Sewage Company - CDAE.
To avoid contamination by arsenic it is advisable not to use materials containing this type of metal in its composition and avoid ingesting food with dyes or untreated water.
3. Signs of Lead Contamination
Lead can cause:
- Weakness of joints, increased blood pressure and anemia, which can lead to kidney, brain and even abortion problems in pregnant women or infertility in men.
- Lead Contamination Sources: Can be found throughout the environment, including air, water and soil, as it is a metal widely used by the industry to make objects such as batteries, water pipes, paint or gasoline, for example.
To avoid lead contamination, it is important to avoid having metal objects in the house, especially in pipes or wall paints.
4. Signs of Barium Contamination
Barium is a type of heavy metal that does not cause the onset of cancer, however it can cause symptoms such as:
- Vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, and increased blood pressure.
- Sources of Barium Contamination: Can be found in some fluorescent lamps, fireworks, paints, bricks, ceramics, glass, rubber and even some diagnostic tests.
To avoid barium contamination, avoid building sites without a protective mask to avoid inhaling or ingesting dust contaminated with barium.
5. Signs of cadmium contamination
The intake of cadmium causes:
- Stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Over time, ingestion or inhalation of this heavy metal can cause kidney disease, lung problems and bone weakening.
- Sources of cadmium contamination: it is present in all types of soil or stones, as well as in coal, mineral fertilizers, batteries and plastics of some toys.
To avoid contamination by cadmium it is recommended not to use materials containing this type of metal in its composition and to avoid smoking, since the cigarette has charcoal that facilitates the contact between the cadmium and the lungs.
6. Signs of contamination by chromium
Inhalation of chromium may cause:
- Nose irritation, shortness of breath, asthma and constant coughing. In the long term, permanent damage to the liver, kidneys, circulatory system and skin can result.
- Chromium contamination sources: it is used to make objects in stainless steel, cement, paper and rubber and, therefore, can be easily inhaled in construction sites or during burning of paper or rubber, for example.
To avoid contamination by chrome one must go to construction sites or burn paper or rubber only when using a protective mask.
Contamination with heavy metals may take months or years to manifest, but it is important that treatment begins as soon as possible to avoid health complications. See how the treatment of mercury poisoning is done.
