The adjective “heavy” is literal, a result of these materials being denser – that is, their atoms are closer to each other. To give you an idea, 1 cubic centimeter of a metal considered light, such as magnesium, weighs 1.7 grams. Already 1 cubic centimeter of any heavy metal has at least 6 grams. And where do the health risks come in? In contact with the organism, these metals end up attracting two essential elements of the body: proteins and enzymes. Eventually they attach themselves to some of them, preventing them from working – which can lead to death. “Heavy metals also bind to cell walls, making it difficult to transport nutrients”, says chemist Jorge Masini, from USP. Even so, the body also needs small amounts of some of these metals. This is the case with copper, which helps us absorb vitamin C. In high concentrations, however, the same metals are toxic.
enemy triad Mercury, lead and cadmium are the most dangerous metals
LUNGS
They become inflamed in contact with cadmium
LIVER AND KIDNEYS
They are the organs most damaged by cadmium
HANDS
Your joints – even those in your fingers and wrist – are paralyzed by lead contamination
BRAIN
Ingested in contaminated fish, mercury impairs brain function. And the metal vapor causes psychic disorders such as depression.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
It is attacked by lead and cadmium
metallic evils Heavy metals have different degrees of toxicityhighly toxic
Toxic, but the risks of contamination are restricted to industrial workers
Useful for the body in small amounts, but toxic in large amounts
Non-toxic in small amounts, but toxic in large amounts
METAL – CADMIUM (Cd)
BODY DAMAGE – Inflammation in the lungs, liver and kidney problems
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Cigarette smoke and food prepared in containers made with this metal
METAL – LEAD (Pb)
BODY DAMAGE – Abdominal pain, vision disturbances, hand paralysis
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Paints and food contaminated by pesticides based on the element
METAL – MERCURY (Hg)
BODY DAMAGE – Loss of vision, impaired brain function, coma
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Ingestion of contaminated fish and metal vapor
METAL – CHROME* (Cr)
BODY DAMAGE – Ulcers, nasal inflammation, lung cancer
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Contact with residues in the leather tanning industry
METAL – NICKEL (Ni)
DAMAGE TO THE BODY – Respiratory diseases, allergies
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Exposure to metal vapors in metallurgical industries
METAL – PLATINUM (Pt)
BODY DAMAGE – Urticaria, breathing problems
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Contact with waste in factories that industrialize the metal
METAL – SILVER (Ag)
BODY DAMAGE – Abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Accidental ingestion in industries that work with derivatives of the material
METAL – COBALT (Co)
BODY DAMAGE – Breathing problems, allergies
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Contact with metal dust in industries
METAL – COPPER (Cu)
BODY DAMAGE – Fever, nausea, diarrhea
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Ingestion of water contaminated by the metal present in pipes
METAL – IRON (Fe)
DAMAGE TO THE BODY – Vomiting, diarrhea and intestinal problems
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Blood transfusions, excess iron in the diet
METAL – MANGANESE (Mn)
BODY DAMAGE – Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Inhalation of dust from the material in the mining industry
METAL – ZINC (Zn)
BODY DAMAGE – Cough, fever, nausea, vomiting
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Contact with waste from metallurgical industries
METAL – TIN (Sn)
BODY DAMAGE – Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
FORMS OF CONTAMINATION – Metal residues in canned foods
* Cr(III) – one of the forms of chromium – is essential for the human body. But, in this form of Cr(VI), it is harmful to health.
– What are the most precious metals that exist?
– Why is lead used as an insulator in x-ray exams?