Heavy metals

Drinking water heavily contaminated with heavy metals can cause cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage as well as cancer and diabetes.

Sources of exposure
Heavy metals have a relatively high density or relative atomic weight and are of particular concern to human health. In particular, industry, agriculture and pharmaceutical processes cause contamination of groundwater. In addition, landfills and the disposal of wastewater can contribute to higher levels of heavy metal contamination.

Examples of heavy metals are mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), thallium (Tl) and lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni) and selenium (Se). These are considered systemic toxins and are known to damage multiple organs even at low levels of exposure, and are considered carcinogenic to humans.

Pollution is particularly high in areas dominated by mining, foundries and smelters as well as other metal-processing industrial operations. There, precipitation can flush the waste products containing heavy metals into the groundwater. Other common sources of heavy metal contamination are water pipes made of lead, which are still present in some older houses. In addition, many vaccines still contain mercury and/or aluminium.

Metals such as zinc, copper, magnesium, iron and calcium are basically necessary for the body, but can also have a toxic effect.

How risky a metal is depends on various factors, including the dose and the type of exposure.

Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium in drinking water have no positive effects on your body. They are harmful. Therefore, the water should be purified before drinking, e.g. with a water purification system.

Possible effects on health
Drinking water that is heavily contaminated with heavy metals can cause them:

- Cardiovascular disorders
- Damage to kidneys, bones, liver and blood
- Cancer
- Diabetes risks
- Learning difficulties

The human body cannot excrete these metals and they accumulate in individual cells. At first, this has no direct effect on the body. In the long run, however, they can cause major, long-lasting problems, especially in the brain. This can lead to reduced mental and central nervous function, or damage organs such as lungs, liver, kidneys. Heavy metals can also cause cancer.

Young children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of heavy metals. Their bodies are still developing. The continuous accumulation of heavy metals in children's bodies can affect the nervous system. The result: learning difficulties and memory disorders as well as behavioural problems in the form of aggression and hyperactivity.

Here are some of the health effects of these metals on the human body:

Mercury
Enters the environment through acid rain, coal consumption, industrial, household and mining waste. It can cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys.

Lead
Lead in drinking water usually comes from the corrosion of old crude leads to damage to the kidneys, nervous system and learning disabilities.

Cadmium (Cd):
Cadmium is found, for example, in lead, zinc and copper ores and coal. and is usually a source to surface and groundwater, especially when in contact with acidic water and low TDS. According to the Water Quality Association, cadmium in amounts above the maximum contaminant level, can potentially cause kidney, bone, liver and blood damage.

Sources:
https://puriflowfilters.co.uk/heavy-metals-in-drinking-water/
https://www.kent.co.in/blog/harmful-effects-of-heavy-metal-contamination-in-drinking-water/