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Glossary
of Terms
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals can
be defined as elements having atomic
weights between 63.546 and 200.590
(Kennish, 1992), and a specific gravity
greater than 4.0 (Connell et al.,
1984). Living organisms require trace
amounts of some of these elements,
including cobalt, copper, iron, manganese,
molybdenum, vanadium, strontium, and
zinc. However, excessive levels of
essential metals can be detrimental
to the organism.
Since the Industrial
Revolution, the production of heavy
metals such as lead, copper, and zinc
has increased dramatically. Between
1850 and 1990, production of these
three metals increased nearly 10 times,
with a corresponding rise in their
emissions.
The toxicity of
heavy metals has been documented throughout
history: Roman and Greek physicians
diagnosed symptoms of acute lead poisoning
well before toxicology became a science.
The basic way these
heavy metals cause problems in the
body is by displacing or replacing
related minerals that are vital for
essential body functions. For example,
lead replaces calcium and cadmium
can replace zinc; when this occurs,
the cadmium or lead is stored in the
bones or other tissues. These become
harder to clear, while the key functions
of the minerals that are replaced
cannot be carried out,
Additionally, in
toxicology (the study of the nature,
effects and detection of poisons and
treatment of poisoning), as a second
toxin is added to one that is already
present, the toxic effect on the body
is not just twice as bad, but often
100 times as bad. On a daily basis,
a person is exposed to not one or
two heavy metals, once or twice a
day, one is bombarded all day and
night by many of the heavy metals,
many, many times from the air, water,
food we eat and our environment.
A safe and effective
way to remove heavy metals from the
body has never been more important
to one's health and well being.
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