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Article: Heavy Metal Toxins
- Article from:
- Chemistry: Foundations and Applications
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Heavy Metal Toxins
Even at a very low level, heavy metal ions can cause serious health effects, including reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, nervous system damage, and in extreme cases, death. The most common heavy metal toxins are aluminum,
arsenic
, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Once emitted from their sources, they have the property of accumulating in the environment for many years. They enter the human body through breathing, drinking, and skin absorption. They also can accumulate in the bodies of animals and humans before they even cause damage.
The sources of heavy metal ions are diverse and specific to each element. Aluminum is mostly found in canned food, ...