Heavy Metal Pollution Flashcards
Lead
Major Sources: mining, lead-acid batteries, battery
scrap recycling, paints and pigments (used for quick
drying), fly ash, and plastic toys (lead softens plastic).
Minor Sources: lead-soldered food cans, cosmetic lip
products, lead in water (from leaded pipes), leaded
petrol (phased out worldwide), glass (added to melt
them during manufacturing), ayurvedic medicines,
etc.
E-waste Sources: lead rechargeable batteries, solar
panels, transistors, lithium batteries, PVC, solder in
PCBs, glass panels and gaskets in computer monitors,
etc.
Carcinogen of the lungs and kidneys; affects
many organs, especially developing foetuses
causing stillbirths and miscarriages; it
can cause irreversible behavioural, and
neurological damage and other developmental
problems in children; can get mixed up with
water and food and create lead poisoning
causing neurodegenerative diseases and
dysfunctions of the central nervous system.
Maternal exposure to lead during pregnancy
can cause developmental reprogramming,
which can lead to higher risk and early onset
of Alzheimer’s disease in later life.
Mercury Natural: Volcanic eruptions, fossil fuels, metal ores,
and other minerals.
Human-made: mining and refining of metals such as
copper, gold, lead, and zinc, coal burning, manufacture
of cement (present in limestone and/or coal), caustic
soda production, etc
E-waste Sources: LCD screens, CFL bulbs, CRT
monitors, switches, printed solders, batteries,
mercury thermometers, thermostats, sensors,
medical equipment, lamps, mobile phones, etc.
,severe and permanent damage to the central
nervous system, lungs and kidneys; trigger
depression/ suicidal tendencies; cause
paralysis, Alzheimer’s disease, impotence,
etc. Inhalation of mercury vapours is more
dangerous than its ingestion as it more
readily reaches the brain. Repeated exposure
has irreversible effects on the nervous system,
particularly in children.
Methyl-
mercury
fluorescent (CFL) lights, batteries, polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), etc.
neuro-toxicant- leads to brain and nervous
system damage. The developing foetus is
highly vulnerable to mercury exposure.
Minamata Convention
In Japan, mass mercury poisoning
(Minamata disease) was observed in the
1960s, caused by eating fish from
Minamata Bay contaminated with
methylmercury. Its aim is to protect the
environment and the human health from
anthropogenic emissions and releases of
the toxic heavy metal.
Chromium Chromium VI (hexavalent chromium) is used as
a corrosion protector of untreated and galvanised
steel plates, metal housings and plates in computers,
in chrome tanning (leather industry), and as a
decorative or hardener for steel housings plastics
(including PVCs).
inhaling chromium or chromium 6 can
damage the liver and kidneys and cause
bronchial maladies, including asthmatic
bronchitis and lung cancer. Chromium VI can
cause damage to DNA.
Cadmium Major Sources: mining (especially of zinc & copper),
metallurgical operations, electroplating industries,
Etc.
E- waste sources: solar panels, batteries, solder,
alloys, switches, printed circuit boards (PCB),
computer batteries, cathode ray tube (CRTs)
monitors, surface-mount technology (SMT) chip
resistors, infra-red detectors, semiconductor chips,
UV stabilisers in older PVC cables, etc.
cause hypertension, liver and kidney damage
and lung cancer, Long-term exposure causes
Itai-itai disease. The disease was first
reported in Japan in 1965. It was attributed
to cadmium contamination in water and rice
caused by the discharge of effluents from a
zinc smelter.
Arsenic copper, iron and silver ores, fly ash, liquid effluents
from fertiliser plants, semiconductors, diodes,
microwaves, LEDs(Light-emitting diodes),solar
cells, etc.
accumulation of arsenic in the body parts like
blood, nails and hairs, causing skin lesions,
rough skin, dry and thickening of the skin
and ultimately skin cancer.
Antimony trace component of metal solders, lead alloys for
batteries, lead/copper/tin alloys for bearings.
antimony trioxide is a possible carcinogen
Tin preserved foods stored in tin cans.
irritant, and excess tin can cause damage to
the liver and kidney
Zinc mining, metal smelting (like zinc, lead and
cadmium), fly ash, steel, brass, alloys, disposable
and rechargeable batteries, luminous substances,
etc.
excess zinc is a skin irritant and affects the
pulmonary system.
Barium oil and gas industries (used to make drilling mud
which simplifies drilling through rocks by lubricating
the drill), paint, tiles, fireworks (barium nitrate and
chlorate for green colour), etc
nausea, brain swelling, muscle weakness,
irregular heartbeat, paralysis, etc.
Beryllium PCB motherboards (copper-beryllium alloy is
used to strengthen connectors while maintaining
electrical conductivity).
Lung cancer and lung damage, poor wound
healing, etc.
