Common heavy metal elements, among which Pb, Hg, Cd and other highly toxic carcinogenic metals are very harmful to human health. Excessive content of Cr, Cu, Ni, Ba, Mn and Co in human body can also affect health. The metabolic imbalance or lack of Zn and Fe in human body will cause some harm. Al and Ti are not essential elements for human body. Al is harmful to human health, while Ti is a human friendly metal.

lead

Under the influence of lead, it accelerates the oxidation of cells and affects the regulation of nerve excitation and memory storage. The intake of lead can also lead to the increase of cholesterol, triglyceride and lipoprotein content, causing cardiovascular disease. At the same time, lead can also disrupt the activity of vascular endothelium derived relaxing factor, reduce the contractility of blood vessels, and cause hypertension.

mercury

Organic mercury causes tissue microtubule damage, lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial damage. Different from methyl mercury, ethyl mercury can be quickly metabolized into inorganic mercury salts. Inorganic mercury shows an uneven distribution pattern, mainly concentrated in the kidney, which can lead to kidney diseases such as acute renal failure.

aluminium

Aluminum compounds in any form of food can disrupt many cellular communication, cell growth and secretion functions. Increase the extra energy load of the brain, and promote the occurrence of some encephalopathy. The more complex toxic mechanism of aluminum lies in its promoting role in the generation of neurotoxicity. It can atrophy neurons in the locus coeruleus, substantia nigra and striatum of the brain, and increase the incidence rate of Alzheimer's disease and childhood autism.

In addition, too much aluminum in the body will also have a negative impact on the digestive system, brain, liver, bone, kidney, hematopoietic system, immune system, etc., and will also interfere with the acid-base balance in pregnant women, cause ovarian atrophy, affect fetal growth and affect the metabolism of phosphorus and calcium in the body.

copper

In vitro cell culture test showed that chronic poisoning of copper would lead to oxidative damage to cells, which could lead to cellular nerve disorder and abnormal copper metabolism. Drinking water with a copper concentration of 3mg/L will cause gastrointestinal problems, accompanied by nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Excessive intake of copper salts, especially copper sulfate, can lead to liver necrosis, which can eventually lead to death. However, up to now, epidemiological studies have not established the relationship between copper intake and cancer.

Another study shows that the excessive accumulation of copper in the liver, kidney, brain and cornea can lead to Wilson's disease. The early onset of the disease is mainly liver symptoms, such as fatigue, abdominal pain, hepatomegaly and jaundice. If it develops for a long time, it will evolve into chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and even liver failure. The range of copper content in the liver of normal people is 15-55 μ G/g, while in Wilson's liver, it may be as high as 300 μ g/g。

In the western developed areas, especially in Tirol, Austria, a large number of cases of liver cirrhosis caused by copper poisoning have been reported. Local people like to drink milk with copper vessels, which leads to their own excessive copper intake. After switching to copper free vessels, the incidence rate of liver cirrhosis dropped sharply.

nickel

The main form of nickel intake in humans is inhalation. Workers engaged in nickel ore mining, nickel containing alloy smelting and alloy refining inhale large amounts of nickel and its compounds in the dusty air with high nickel content. The types of nickel and its compounds inhaled have a great impact on their toxicity and carcinogenicity. The toxicity and carcinogenicity of nickel depend on the intracellular dissolution of nickel compounds and their physical and chemical properties. As water-soluble nickel compounds can be rapidly cleared by the respiratory tract, their carcinogenicity and toxicity are far less than semi soluble nickel compounds (such as nickel sulfite).

In addition, people can also increase their intake of nickel through stainless steel tableware when heating and cooking, especially when containing acidic substances. At the same time, people can also intake nickel by skin contact with nickel containing metal bracelets, earrings, watches, coins and children's toys.

zinc

Zinc is an essential element for human body, and people are often troubled by zinc deficiency. However, excessive zinc supplementation will cause harm to the body to some extent. Workers engaged in zinc alloy smelting and welding of galvanized steel plates will inhale a large amount of metal smoke (such as zinc oxide) from the air, thus suffering from a disease of metal smoke heat. The clinical manifestations of this disease are fever, dyspnea and cough, which usually disappear after being far away from their working environment.

At the cellular level, zinc can determine cell death or growth. Too much or too little zinc content in cells will promote cell apoptosis. When zinc is released in cells, it can lead to the decline of cellular nervous system. The imbalance of zinc in the body will lead to the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Source: Internet