There are a variety of metal compounds in our soil due to
manufacturing, industrial waste, to the use of synthetic products. The
locations of these metal compounds are everywhere, but most can be found in
landfill sites where waste piles and municipal sludge is present. The causes of
waste lead to heavy metal accumulation and can be very toxic to humans and our
environment. The chemicals in the waste increase the toxicity of the soil and
can be either normally chronic or acute. Exposure of the metals overtime
(normally chronic) is due to food chain transfer. In other words, all living things need to
feed to get energy for growth and reproduce. Energy is transferred along food
chains. Acute poisoning (immediate) from metals can be caused through
ingestions and dermal contact. There are
three metals that are associated with long-term heavy metal exposures:
-Lead
-Cadmium
-Arsenic
Lead can cause mental lapse, Cadmium affects kidney, liver,
and GI tract, and Arsenic causes skin poisoning, affects kidneys, and central
nervous system (USDA, 2000).
There are cationic metals (positively charged cations in
soil) and anionic compounds (combination and negatively charged)
Cationic metals:
mercury, lead, nickel, copper, zinc, chromium, maganese
Anionic metals: selenium,
boron, arsenic, molybdenum
The best way to protect yourself against these potential
dangerous metals is prevention. There are treatments to reduce the toxicity by
high temperature treatments, solidifying agents (cement-like material), and
washing process (leaches out contamination).
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