Sources
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared that air pollution is carcinogenic, specifically lung and bladder cancers. Air pollution was already cited to raise risks for a wide variety of illnesses including respiratory and heart diseases.
Toxic elements that are part of air pollution swirl around the globe and eventually fall to the earth’s surface with rain. Coal combustion pollution is a major source of the toxic metals aluminum, antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Air pollution from tire wear (cadmium) and disc brake wear (antimony) is another major source.
Toxic metals in our personal environment can come from water and food. Cigarette smokers can inhale the toxic metals antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, thallium, and others. Antimony and cadmium can inflame arterial walls and start plaque formation. Cadmium is also a potent carcinogen.
Effects
Toxic metals can cause decreased mentation, memory loss, joint pain, decreased circulation, coronary heart disease, cancer and many other problems.
For more detailed information on sources and effects of specific metals, click on each metal below.
Measurement
Toxic metals can be measured in blood, hair, and urine. Urine specimens can be used to determine long-term exposure to metals since once the body exceeds its ability to store metals, the metals are excreted in urine .
Detoxification
Toxic metals can be removed from our bodies using lifestyle and nutritional approaches as well as chelating agents that bind to the metals which are then excreted in urine. Some of these agents are DMSA (orally) and EDTA (suppositories or intravenously).
Testing and Removal
You can have your urine tested for toxic metals by ordering a test kit and requisition which you can then mail to the Trace Elements Laboratory, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada. They are an accredited lab with over 25 years experience. Your results will be sent to you and If you have toxic metals above the reference range, there are medical doctors and naturopaths who can further assess your results and remove the metals if required.
