Tag: Industrial pollution

While no foods naturally contain tungsten as a nutrient, trace amounts can enter the food supply through environmental contamination. This heavy metal is not an essential element for human life and its presence in our diet is generally considered insignificant. However, increased industrial use has raised questions about potential health impacts from long-term, low-level exposure.

According to the EPA, short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide can harm the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult, especially for people with asthma. So, is sulfur dioxide bad for your body? The answer is a clear yes, with its severity depending on concentration and individual sensitivity.

Industrial processes like welding, electroplating, and leather tanning are primary sources of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a toxic form that causes high chromium levels. Exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, and this type of contamination is a significant public health concern.

Trivalent chromium (Cr III) is an essential trace mineral that assists the body with metabolic functions, including the action of insulin. However, to fully grasp what is chromium and why is it bad, one must understand its starkly different forms and the serious health risks associated with the toxic, industrially-produced hexavalent type.