HEAVY METALSHEAVY METALS

health & environmental health & environmental effects effects

of some heavy metals of some heavy metals

(concentration on RoHS (concentration on RoHS Directive)Directive)All materials were prepared on the basis of the work and a All materials were prepared on the basis of the work and a

presentation of dr Adriana Zaleska from Chemical Faculty, Gdańsk presentation of dr Adriana Zaleska from Chemical Faculty, Gdańsk University of TechnologyUniversity of Technology

HEAVY METALSHEAVY METALS

The term The term heavy metal heavy metal refers to any refers to any metallic chemical element that has a metallic chemical element that has a relatively high density and is toxic or relatively high density and is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations.poisonous at low concentrations.

HEAVY METALSHEAVY METALS are natural components of the Earth's crustare natural components of the Earth's crust they cannot be degraded or destroyedthey cannot be degraded or destroyed to a small extent they enter our bodies via food, to a small extent they enter our bodies via food,

drinking water and airdrinking water and air as trace elements, some heavy metals (e.g. as trace elements, some heavy metals (e.g.

copper,copper, selenium, zinc) are essential to maintain the selenium, zinc) are essential to maintain the

metabolism of the human bodymetabolism of the human body however, at higher concentrations they can lead however, at higher concentrations they can lead

to poisoningto poisoning heavy metal poisoning could result, for instance, heavy metal poisoning could result, for instance,

from drinking-water contamination (e.g. lead from drinking-water contamination (e.g. lead pipes), high ambient air concentrations near pipes), high ambient air concentrations near emission sources, or intake via the food chainemission sources, or intake via the food chain

THE BIGGEST DISASTERS THE BIGGEST DISASTERS WITH „A SPECIAL WITH „A SPECIAL

APPEARANCE” OF HEAVY APPEARANCE” OF HEAVY METALSMETALS

1932-1952 Minamata1932-1952 MinamataSewage containing mercury is released by Sewage containing mercury is released by

Chisso's chemicals works into Minimata Bay in Chisso's chemicals works into Minimata Bay in Japan. The mercury accumulates in sea Japan. The mercury accumulates in sea creatures, leading eventually to mercury creatures, leading eventually to mercury poisoning in the population.poisoning in the population.

In 1952, the first incidents of mercury poisoning In 1952, the first incidents of mercury poisoning appear in the population of MinimataBay in appear in the population of MinimataBay in Japan, caused by consumption of fish polluted Japan, caused by consumption of fish polluted with mercury, bringing nearly 1000 fatalities. with mercury, bringing nearly 1000 fatalities. Since then, Japan has had the strictest Since then, Japan has had the strictest environmental laws in the industrialised world.environmental laws in the industrialised world.

THE BIGGEST DISASTERS THE BIGGEST DISASTERS WITH „A SPECIAL WITH „A SPECIAL

APPEARANCE” OF HEAVY APPEARANCE” OF HEAVY METALSMETALS

1986-11-01 Sandoz 1986-11-01 Sandoz

Water used to extinguish a major fire Water used to extinguish a major fire carries c. 30 t fungicide containing carries c. 30 t fungicide containing mercury into the Upper Rhine. Fish mercury into the Upper Rhine. Fish are killed over a stretch of 100 km. are killed over a stretch of 100 km. The shock drives many FEA projects The shock drives many FEA projects forwards. See also "Pollution of the forwards. See also "Pollution of the Rhine at Basel / Sandoz".Rhine at Basel / Sandoz".

THE BIGGEST DISASTERS THE BIGGEST DISASTERS WITH „A SPECIAL WITH „A SPECIAL

APPEARANCE” OF HEAVY APPEARANCE” OF HEAVY METALSMETALS

1998-04 Spanish nature reserve 1998-04 Spanish nature reserve contaminated after environmental contaminated after environmental disasterdisaster

Toxic chemicals in water from a burst dam Toxic chemicals in water from a burst dam belonging to a mine contaminate the Coto de belonging to a mine contaminate the Coto de Donana nature reserve in southern Spain. C. Donana nature reserve in southern Spain. C. 5 million m_ of mud containing sulphur, lead, 5 million m_ of mud containing sulphur, lead, copper, zinc and cadmium flow down the Rio copper, zinc and cadmium flow down the Rio Guadimar. Experts estimate that Europe's Guadimar. Experts estimate that Europe's largest bird sanctuary, as well as Spain's largest bird sanctuary, as well as Spain's agriculture and fisheries, will suffer agriculture and fisheries, will suffer permanent damage from the pollution.permanent damage from the pollution.

Mercury - HgMercury - Hg

Mercury is the only common metal Mercury is the only common metal which is liquid at ordinary which is liquid at ordinary temperatures. It rarely occurs free in temperatures. It rarely occurs free in nature and is found mainly in nature and is found mainly in cinnabar ore (HgS) in Spain and Italy. cinnabar ore (HgS) in Spain and Italy.

It alloys easily with many metals, such It alloys easily with many metals, such as gold, silver, and tin - these alloys as gold, silver, and tin - these alloys are called amalgams. Its ease in are called amalgams. Its ease in amalgamating with gold is used in the amalgamating with gold is used in the recovery of gold from its ores.recovery of gold from its ores.

Health effects of mercuryHealth effects of mercury

Disruption of the nervous systemDisruption of the nervous system Damage to brain functionsDamage to brain functions DNA damage and chromosomal DNA damage and chromosomal

damagedamage Allergic reactions, resulting in skin Allergic reactions, resulting in skin

rashes, tiredness and headachesrashes, tiredness and headaches Negative reproductive effects, such Negative reproductive effects, such

as sperm damage, birth defects and as sperm damage, birth defects and miscarriagesmiscarriages

Air pollutionAir pollution

Fossil fuel combustionFossil fuel combustion MiningMining SmeltingSmelting Solid waste combustionSolid waste combustion

Water pollutionWater pollution

the application of agricultural the application of agricultural fertilizers and industrial wastewater fertilizers and industrial wastewater disposaldisposal

Environmental effects of Environmental effects of mercurymercury

Acidic surface waters can contain significant Acidic surface waters can contain significant amounts of mercuryamounts of mercury

When the pH values are between five and When the pH values are between five and seven, the mercury concentrations in the seven, the mercury concentrations in the water will increase due to mobilisation of water will increase due to mobilisation of mercury in the groundmercury in the ground

Once mercury has reached surface waters or Once mercury has reached surface waters or soils microorganisms soils microorganisms can convert it to can convert it to methyl mercurymethyl mercury, a substance that can be , a substance that can be absorbed quickly by most organisms and is absorbed quickly by most organisms and is known to cause nerve damageknown to cause nerve damage

Environmental effects of Environmental effects of mercurymercury

Fish Fish are organisms that are organisms that absorb absorb great great amounts of amounts of methyl mercury methyl mercury from surface from surface waters every day (waters every day (mercury can mercury can accumulate accumulate in fish and in the food in fish and in the food chains)chains)

The effects that mercury has on The effects that mercury has on animals are: animals are: kidneys damage, stomach kidneys damage, stomach disruption, damage to intestines, disruption, damage to intestines, reproductive failure and DNA alterationreproductive failure and DNA alteration

Cadmium – CdCadmium – CdHEALTH EFFECTSHEALTH EFFECTS

Human uptake of cadmium takes Human uptake of cadmium takes place mainly through foodplace mainly through food

Foodstuffs that are rich in cadmium Foodstuffs that are rich in cadmium can greatly increase the cadmium can greatly increase the cadmium concentration in human bodies concentration in human bodies (liver, mushrooms, shellfish, (liver, mushrooms, shellfish, mussels, cocoa powder and dried mussels, cocoa powder and dried seaweed)seaweed)

HEALTH EFFECTSHEALTH EFFECTS

Diarrhoea, stomach pains and severe Diarrhoea, stomach pains and severe vomitingvomiting

Bone fractureBone fracture Reproductive failure and possibly even Reproductive failure and possibly even

infertilityinfertility Damage to the central nervous systemDamage to the central nervous system Damage to the immune systemDamage to the immune system Psychological disordersPsychological disorders Possibly DNA damage or cancer Possibly DNA damage or cancer

developmentdevelopment

Environmental effects of Environmental effects of cadmiumcadmium

Cadmium can be transported over great distances Cadmium can be transported over great distances when it is absorbed by sludgewhen it is absorbed by sludge

This cadmium-rich sludge can pollute surface waters This cadmium-rich sludge can pollute surface waters as well as soilsas well as soils

Cadmium strongly adsorbs to organic matter in soilsCadmium strongly adsorbs to organic matter in soils When cadmium is present in soils it can be extremely When cadmium is present in soils it can be extremely

dangerous, as the uptake through food will increasedangerous, as the uptake through food will increase Soils that are acidified enhance the cadmium uptake Soils that are acidified enhance the cadmium uptake

by plantsby plants This is a potential danger to the animals that are This is a potential danger to the animals that are

dependent upon the plants for survival – Cadmium dependent upon the plants for survival – Cadmium can accumulate in their bodies, especially when they can accumulate in their bodies, especially when they eat multiple plantseat multiple plants

Cows may have large amounts of cadmium in their Cows may have large amounts of cadmium in their kidneys due to thiskidneys due to this

Environmental effects of Environmental effects of cadmiumcadmium

In aquatic ecosystems cadmium can In aquatic ecosystems cadmium can bioaccumulate in mussels, oysters, bioaccumulate in mussels, oysters, shrimps, lobsters and fishshrimps, lobsters and fish

The susceptibility to cadmium can vary The susceptibility to cadmium can vary greatly between aquatic organismsgreatly between aquatic organisms

Salt-water organisms are known to Salt-water organisms are known to be more resistant to cadmium be more resistant to cadmium poisoning than freshwater poisoning than freshwater organismsorganisms

Chromium - CrChromium - Cr

Chromium(III) is an essential Chromium(III) is an essential nutrient for humans and shortages nutrient for humans and shortages may cause heart conditions, may cause heart conditions, disruptions of metabolisms and disruptions of metabolisms and diabetesdiabetes

But the uptake of too much But the uptake of too much chromium(III) can cause health chromium(III) can cause health effects as well, for instance skin effects as well, for instance skin rashesrashes

Chromium - CrChromium - Cr

Chromium(VI) is a danger to human health, Chromium(VI) is a danger to human health, mainly for people who work in the steel mainly for people who work in the steel and textile industryand textile industry

People who smoke tobacco also have a People who smoke tobacco also have a higher chance of exposure to chromiumhigher chance of exposure to chromium

Hexavalent Chromium – Chromium (VI) is a Hexavalent Chromium – Chromium (VI) is a species of chromium that is forbidden to species of chromium that is forbidden to use in electrical & electronic industry by use in electrical & electronic industry by RoHS Directive.RoHS Directive.

HEALTH EFFECTSHEALTH EFFECTS When it is a compound in leather products, When it is a compound in leather products,

it can cause allergic reactions, such as skin it can cause allergic reactions, such as skin rashrash

After breathing it in, chromium(VI) can After breathing it in, chromium(VI) can cause nose irritations and nosebleedscause nose irritations and nosebleeds

Upset stomachs and ulcersUpset stomachs and ulcers Respiratory problemsRespiratory problems Weakened immune systemWeakened immune system Kidney and liver damageKidney and liver damage Alteration of genetic materialAlteration of genetic material Lung cancerLung cancer DeathDeath

Environmental effects of Environmental effects of chromiumchromium

Most of the chromium in air will Most of the chromium in air will eventually settle and end up in waters or eventually settle and end up in waters or soilssoils

Chromium in soils strongly attaches to Chromium in soils strongly attaches to soil particles and as a result it will not soil particles and as a result it will not move towards groundwatermove towards groundwater

In water chromium will absorb on In water chromium will absorb on sediment and become immobilesediment and become immobile

Only a small part of the chromium that Only a small part of the chromium that ends up in water will eventually dissolveends up in water will eventually dissolve

Environmental effects of Environmental effects of chromiumchromium

Chromium(III) is an essential element for Chromium(III) is an essential element for organisms that can disrupt the sugar organisms that can disrupt the sugar metabolism and cause heart conditions, metabolism and cause heart conditions, when the daily dose is too lowwhen the daily dose is too low

Chromium(VI) is mainly toxic to Chromium(VI) is mainly toxic to organisms - it can alter genetic materials organisms - it can alter genetic materials and cause cancerand cause cancer

Lead - PbLead - Pb

Foods such as fruit, vegetables, meats, Foods such as fruit, vegetables, meats, grains, seafood, soft drinks and wine may grains, seafood, soft drinks and wine may contain significant amounts of leadcontain significant amounts of lead

Cigarette smoke also contains small Cigarette smoke also contains small amounts of leadamounts of lead

Health effects of leadHealth effects of lead Disruption of the biosynthesis of haemoglobin Disruption of the biosynthesis of haemoglobin

and anemiaand anemia A rise in blood pressureA rise in blood pressure Kidney damageKidney damage MiscarriagesMiscarriages Disruption of nervous systemsDisruption of nervous systems Brain damageBrain damage Declined fertility of men through sperm Declined fertility of men through sperm

damagedamage Diminished learning abilities of childrenDiminished learning abilities of children Behavioural disruptions of children, such as Behavioural disruptions of children, such as

aggression, impulsive behaviour and aggression, impulsive behaviour and hyperactivityhyperactivity

Health effects of leadHealth effects of lead

Lead can enter a foetus through the Lead can enter a foetus through the placenta of the motherplacenta of the mother

Because of this it can cause serious Because of this it can cause serious damage to the nervous system and damage to the nervous system and the brains of unborn childrenthe brains of unborn children

That is why women in pregnancy can That is why women in pregnancy can not work with lead.not work with lead.

Lead sourcesLead sources

application of lead in gasolineapplication of lead in gasoline fuel combustionfuel combustion industrial processesindustrial processes solid waste combustionsolid waste combustion

Environmental effects of Environmental effects of leadlead

Lead accumulates in the bodies of water Lead accumulates in the bodies of water organisms and soil organismsorganisms and soil organisms

Health effects on shellfish can take place even Health effects on shellfish can take place even when only very small concentrations of lead when only very small concentrations of lead are presentare present

Body functions of phytoplankton can be Body functions of phytoplankton can be disturbed when lead interferes. Phytoplankton disturbed when lead interferes. Phytoplankton is an important source of oxygen production is an important source of oxygen production in seas and many larger sea-animals eat itin seas and many larger sea-animals eat it

That is why we now begin to wonder whether That is why we now begin to wonder whether lead pollution can influence global balanceslead pollution can influence global balances

Environmental effects of Environmental effects of leadlead

Soil functions are disturbed by lead Soil functions are disturbed by lead intervention, especially near intervention, especially near highways and farmlands, where highways and farmlands, where extreme concentrations may be extreme concentrations may be presentpresent

Also soil organisms are suffered Also soil organisms are suffered from lead poisoningfrom lead poisoning