Toxic Heavy Metals and the Lurking Dangers for Your Child
Environmental toxins have made their way into every facet of our daily lives, extending far beyond the obvious image of industrial smokestacks. They are lurking in the water you drink, the air you inhale, the food you savor, and even the products you use in your homes and offices.
Roughly one-fifth of neonatal fatalities are due to noxious air quality, typically resulting in complications from premature deliveries or low birth weights. Shockingly, 93% of the world’s populace aged 15 or younger are exposed to toxic air on a daily basis, thus endangering their physical, intellectual, and long-term well-being.
These toxins are pervasive and have the potential to impact your infant’s health in multiple ways. Left unchecked, prolonged exposure to toxins, like lead, black carbon, and mercury, can result in fatal health consequences like ADHD and cancers.
In this article, we will shed light on some toxic chemical compounds that have wreaked havoc on infant health for years and also speak about their common sources of origin.
Lead and its Effects on Human Health
The primary sources of lead contamination in the atmosphere can be attributed to a plethora of activities like mining, producing, and the utilization of lead-based goods. Corroded pipes and plumbing fixtures can contaminate drinking water with varying proportions of lead.
A grave example of this is the Flint Water Crisis, which has plagued the inhabitants of Flint, Michigan, since 2014. The blood lead levels in the children were found to be double and, in some cases, even triple the permissible limits.
This heavy, toxic metal poses a grave threat to children under the age of 6. It is potent enough to damage any organ in the body. Impaired cognitive development is by far the most prominent manifestation of the neurotoxic effects of lead.
Even in the slightest amount, lead can result in lower IQ, speech impairment, anemia, behavioral problems, attention deficits, and impaired executive functions.
The metal’s neurotoxic effects stem from its ability to disrupt normal brain development and function. It hinders the formation of neuronal connections and interferes with the transmission of signals between brain cells. Additionally, it disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters, impeding communication among neurons.
When children get exposed to high levels of lead (less than 70 g/dL in their blood), severe symptoms such as encephalopathy, ataxia, coma, convulsions, death, hyper irritability, and stupor can come forth.
In a pregnant woman, her bones can release lead along with calcium, thereby exposing the developing fetus or breastfeeding infant to this toxic metal.
Many studies have also highlighted the various physical health implications that can arise with prolonged exposure to lead. It can cause severe damage to the kidneys, liver, and cardiovascular systems.
PFAS Chemicals and Their Persistence
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals used in industrial and consumer products, including firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, and baby food packaging.
There have been many studies centered around the health implications of these chemicals, and they have indicated associations between PFAS exposure and reduced cognitive function, impaired memory, and attention deficits in growing children. This group of chemicals has also been linked to a heightened occurrence of gestational diabetes, childhood obesity, and preeclampsia.
According to TorHoerman Law, certain PFAS compounds have been associated with an increased chance of developing certain cancers, such as kidney and testicular cancer. Additionally, exposure to these chemicals can have a detrimental effect on fetal development and result in unfavorable birth outcomes.
Many water bodies near military bases and airports have reported high levels of PFAS compounds resulting from the use of Aqueous film-forming firefighting foams. Several instances of cancer of the bladder, uterus, kidney, breast, and colon have come into existence.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by prolonged exposure to PFAS chemicals due to firefighting foam, you can help them file a firefighting foam cancer lawsuit.
Mercury and Its Potency
Mercury, a toxic heavy metal, is naturally present in the environment but is also released into the air and water channels through various human activities like coal combustion, mining, and industrial processes.
Once released into the ecosystem, the metal undergoes a series of transformations, converting into methylmercury, the organic form that poses the greatest health risks to human health.
The central nervous system is particularly vulnerable to the harmful implications of this metal form. Once ingested, it can cross the blood-brain barrier, a protective border safeguarding the brain against harmful attacks.
Within the brain, the compound attacks specific regions, including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. These areas regulate cognition, memory, attention, and motor coordination.
The developing brain, particularly in the prenatal and early postnatal stages, is very vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of mercury. Studies suggest that prolonged exposure to it can result in developmental issues, including reduced IQ, learning disabilities, altered behavior, and cognitive impairments in children.
Long-term exposure may lead to kidney-related problems, from high protein levels in the urine to kidney failure.
Methylmercury has a detrimental effect on neuronal functioning by binding to sulfur-containing molecules, which interferes with essential cellular processes such as enzyme activity and protein synthesis. These effects lead to an inability to release neurotransmitters, decreased synaptic activity, and impaired neuronal plasticity.
In addition, it results in oxidative stress in the brain that can damage cellular components such as lipids, proteins, and DNA. Over time, oxidative damage can lead to neuronal degeneration and an imbalance of neurotransmitters, deteriorating cognitive impairments.
Conclusion
Your infant is solely dependent on you for every activity. Your child’s health should be paramount to you. The initial years of their lives are extremely crucial, as they set the tone for their well-being in the long run.
You need to be well-informed and judicious in your choices about what goes in your child’s body. You need to give due diligence to proper and immediate healthcare.
