Heavy metals are mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, strontium, arsenic, nickel, thallium. Usually they enter the body through the skin, by airborne droplets or through the gastrointestinal tract. Heavy metal poisoning can occur as a result of industrial exposure, global air or water pollution, food, drugs, improperly processed food containers, or taking lead based paints. For today, it is so rare that in normal life, if the environment corresponds to hygienic norms, one can not get sick. Just heavy metals are in the human body, but in very small quantities. It is not dangerous, some metals are even included in the composition of vitamin-mineral complexes, which means that they are necessary for normal life of the organism.
In excess, they are able to change the structure of proteins and nucleic acids, adversely affect the metabolism, cause mutations, disrupt the structure and permeability of cell membranes, and cause disruption of the internal organs. This leads to a slowdown in the growth in children, a weakening of the reproductive function, including oncological diseases, and in case of serious poisoning - to death.
What are the toxic substances in the water?
Any tap water contains chlorine, which, when boiled, can form carcinogenic organochlorine compounds. Therefore, for cooking, and simply drinking, it is better to buy bottled water, or use a filter jug or built-in flow filter to remove chlorine and heavy metals.
Do toxic substances exist in seafood?
Mussels and oysters filter the water in which they are, that is, pass it through themselves, keeping inside toxic substances, heavy metals and harmful microorganisms.
In Vegetables and fruits are covered with a lipid film, which also protects them from excess water and decay. Pesticides are fat-tolerant, so their molecule dissolves in this protective film and is fixed there.