According to the Environmental Performance Index, human activity is the main cause of heavy metal pollutants. These poisonous metals can cause harmful health effects and damage to the environment.

By learning more about heavy metals and their toxicity, we can develop essential safety precautions to limit harmful exposure.

Keep reading to discover the answer to the question, “why are heavy metals toxic?” With this guide, you’ll know what to look for and how to protect your body in the future.

Toxic Heavy Metals

There are a number of toxic heavy metals that can impact our health (and Mother Nature’s). When these metals combine with protein sites, however, the metals originally reserved from their natural bindings are displaced.

This can cause the cells to malfunction, which leads to toxicity.

To further learn why are heavy metals toxic, here are a few specific heavy metals that experience this toxicity.

Arsenic

A ubiquitous element, arsenic is both toxic and carcinogenic. It’s also the twentieth most abundant element on earth. In the forms arsenite and arsenate, it’s lethal to living creatures and our environment.

This toxic metal can contaminate drinking water when arsenical pesticides pollute natural mineral deposits.

Arsenic biotransformation occurs when inorganic arsenic is methylated by fungi, bacteria, or humans. This develops monomethylarsonic acid (there’s a mouthful), which is highly toxic.

Lead

Lead can cause environmental contamination and various health issues.

Humans are exposed to this toxic metal through food, smoking, industrial processes, and drinking water. Domestic sources such as house paint, plumbing pipes, storage batteries, and even toys contain lead, too.

According to the CDC, at least four million households are putting children at risk for lead exposure.

Unlike zinc, copper, and magnesium, lead doesn’t play any biological functions.

The article “Back to the Basics: Heavy Metals What are They and Why do they Matter?” from Microbe Formulas explains that essential metals like zinc, iron, and manganese are a good part of our diet and contribute to our health.

Meanwhile, lead causes a metabolic change and disturbs plant physiological processes. This can inhibit plant growth.

Lead causes ionic mechanism, oxidative stress, and toxicity in living cells.

Mercury

While we’re discussing why are heavy metals toxic, we should cover mercury as well. Mercury is bioaccumulative and extremely toxic.

It’s used in fluorescent lamps, thermometers, and paper industries.

As with many poisonous metals, mercury causes organ damage, cellular degeneration, and brain necrosis.

How to Protect Yourself

Here are a few ways to protect yourself from toxic metals:

• Evaluate food choices (fish, rice, and bone broth)
• Check your drinking water
• Check products (toothpaste, makeup, nail polish, sunscreen)
• Get a home air purifier

Reduce your exposure while protecting yourself and others from future health issues.

Why Are Heavy Metals Toxic: Everything You Need to Know

Now that we’ve answered the question why are heavy metals toxic, you can focus on remaining cautious and developing proper precautions at work or at home.

Explore the blog for more interesting articles on a range of topics!