Heavy metal toxicity is an excessive build-up of metals in the body. Oftentimes, the vague symptoms produced by heavy metal toxicity are mistakenly misdiagnosed as incurable chronic conditions. Heavy metal toxicity can result from either acute or chronic exposure to heavy metals. TOXICITY OF HEAVY METALS: A MAJOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS IN INDUSTRY| No. | Heavy Metals | Target Organ | Industry | Occupational Testing | | 1 | ALUMINIUM | Bones, Brain, Kidneys,
Stomach | Manufacturing and metal finishing process, Fireworks, Ceramics and paints, Electrical goods, Smelting industry, manufacturing of abrasives | Aluminium (Serum) | | 2 | ARSENIC | Blood, Kidneys, Central Nervous System, Digestive System, Skin | Manufacturing of Brass, Bronze, Ceramics, Dyes, Wood products and Paints, Smelting process of copper, zinc and lead; Manufacture of chemicals and glass | Arsenic (Urine, Blood) | | 3 | CADMIUM | Liver, Placenta, Kidneys, Lungs , Brain, Bone | Battery industry, pigment manufacturing, Electroplating, imitation jewellery making | Cadmium (Blood, Urine) | | 4 | CHROMIUM | Lung Liver, Kidneys, Spleen, Adrenals, Plasma, Bone, Marrow | Electroplating, Welding, Steel making, Leather Tanning, Photography, Dyeing and Chemical manufacturing | Chromium (Urine, Blood) | | 5 | COPPER | Brain, Skin, Hair, Central Nervous System, Blood , Bones | Smelting industry, Mining, Manufacturing of fungicides and algaecides, Manufacturing of ceramics, jewellery and coins | Copper (Serum, Urine) | | 6 | LEAD | Bones , Brain, Blood, Kidneys, Thyroid Gland | Paint industry, Ceramic glazes, Smelting, Battery making, Soldering, Stained glass manufacturing, Brass and Bronze foundry | Lead (Blood, Urine) | | 7 | MANGANESE | Bones, Brain, Central Nervous System | Foundry, Welding, Manufacturing of drugs, glass, warnish, ceramics, feed additives, Dry cell manufacturing | Manganese (Blood, Urine) | | 8 | MERCURY | Brain, Kidneys, Stomach, Eyes, Ears | Mining, Smelting industry, Manufacturing of mirrors, tubelights and bulbs, Pesticides and Fungicide production, Photography, Mercury battery manufacturing, Mercury containing instruments such as thermometers and barometers, Chloralkali industry | Mercury (Urine, Blood) | | 9 | NICKEL | Lung, Liver, Kidneys, Spleen, Adrenals, Plasma, Bone Marrow | Ink, Magnets, Spark plugs, paints, Stainless steel including Welding, enamels, Ceramics, Batteries, Glass, Alloys | Nickel (Urine, Blood) | | 10 | ZINC | Immune System, Blood, Pancreas , Stomach, Cholesterol, GI System, Taste | Manufacturing of Brass and Bronze, Paint, Rubber, Dyes, Wood preservatives and Ointments, Galvanizing. | Zinc (Serum) |
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