Metals that are wrecking you

Two laboratories come up with shocking results. Experts 

blame pollution, construction activity and ayurvedic 

medicines for toxicity.

It's been 10 years since lead-free petrol was introduced. Lead 

in pencils is gradually being replaced by graphite and clay, 

and most paint and cosmetic companies are now going out 

of their way to convince consumers that their product is 

'metal-free'. And yet, lead poisoning continues to top the 

chart of heavy metal toxicity in humans. Medical experts 

claim extreme level of pollution, construction activity and 

haphazard use of ayurvedic medicines are the culprits.

Figures from the city-based laboratories reveal the 

worrisome trend. Of the 600 odd samples received every 

month by a diagnostics centre for Atomic Absorption 

Spectroscopy, which detects metal content in body fluids, 

about 350 contain lead. It is followed by copper (125), zinc 

(50) and other metals such as arsenic, mercury, aluminium 

and chromium.

Even a small amount of exposure to lead can lead to long-

term health hazards, especially in children. It is known to 

cause anaemia, hypertension, impaired fertility and so on. 

Doctors say foetuses can be affected by lead exposure, as it 

reaches them through the placenta.

In addition, lead does not allow other metals such as zinc 

and copper to be flushed out of the body, leading to their 

build-up as well. The dangerous metal can remain inside the 

body for more than 45 years.

Apart from being carcinogenic or toxic, most metals 

adversely affect the central nervous system, kidneys, liver , 

skin, bones and teeth.

"The number of samples with metal content has gone up 

over the years. We started in 2010 with about 250 samples 

monthly and today we screen around 600," said  a Dr. 

Another laboratory, tests about 250 samples in a month, of 

which 150 contain lead. "Most samples are from people 

working in industrial set-ups, which expose them to such 

metals on a daily basis. Samples with arsenic generally 

come from people who use ayurvedic drugs containing 

heavy metals," said a Dr. 

While advanced technology is available to test the metal 

content, many metals generally go undetected. That is 

because the process to detect each metal is different and 

doctors check only for that metal which is producing 

adverse symptoms. Ayurvedic medicines have been blamed 

for high amount of metals in them. The practitioners, 

however, claim that their medicines were always made with 

various metals but qualified practitioners know how much 

to prescribe.

According to a consultant physician , these metals are 

present in food, water, even the very air we breathe in. 

"They first enter the blood stream. Liver tries to process 

these metals out of our body, which puts pressure on it. It 

can cause jaundice and liver cell disease. These metals can 

cause renal failure and neurological problems too," said 

a Dr.

According to the Dr., if detected in the initial stages, patient 

can be provided with metal chelationtherapy, which helps 

remove these toxins in two-three months.

Heavy metal poisoning 

Heavy metals may enter the body by ingestion, inhalation or 

absorption through the skin or mucous membranes. They 

are then stored in the body's soft tissues. Once absorbed, they 

compete with other ions and bind to proteins, impairing 

enzymatic activity and damaging many organs.