chapter 6: toxic metals and elements

Bioaccumulation

substances become more toxic as they move up the food chain

CERLA list of hazardous substances

list and ranks substances found at facilities on national priorities list and determines to post most significant threat to human health due to known or suspected toxicity and potential for human exposure

Copper

appears in electrical wires and pipe

exposure of copper 

inhalation, ingestion, direct contact with skin

zinc

coating for rust inhibition and component of batteries

health effects of copper

respiratory and GI disturbances, irritation of respiratory tract, liver and renal damage, death 

health effects of zinc

GI problems, anemia, damage to pancreases, metal fume fever

Iron

Growth of cells and transport of oxygen within circulatory system

arsenics correlation to drinking water

10 micrograms of arsenic per liter of drinking water

what is Alzheimers connection to toxic metals

people exposed to high levels of aluminum may develop Alzheimer's 

Arsenic

used in pesticides, wood preservatives, manufacturing processes

exposure of arsenic

inhalation and ingestion

health effects of arsenic

carcinogen, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes 

beryllium 

employees in metal processing industry 

Cadmium

paint manufactures, metal factory employees, soldering

exposure of cadmium

cigarette smoke and dietary cadmium

health effects of cadmium

renal damage/ dysfunction, osteoporosis, HTN, CV disease

lead 

leaded gasoline, tap water for soldered pipes, painted surfaces n older buildings, imported pottery

what is one of the most common environmental pediatric health problems in US

Lead 

Nickel 

can be machined and polish 

health effects of nickel

contact dermatitis, CV disease Fibrosis of lungs, carcinogenic action

toxic metals with multiple effects

arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, nickel

how do metals arrive on the national priorities list

based on the score a site receives from hazard ranking system. Prioritizes substances based on frequency occurrence of NPL sites toxicity and potential for human exposure

what metal is vital to human health

iron

itai- Itai disease

appeared in a stream in japan, was named based on how much pain people were in, metal is cadmium

Minamata disease

took place in japan, fish were contaminated with methyl mercury

toxic nature of chromium VI

can leach into drinking water, causes digestive problems and damages to organs like liver or kidneys, may also produce skin ulcers