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How Herbs Become Contaminated With Heavy Metals
Metals are a natural part of the earth's make up and exist as concentrated layers of ore in the earth's crust. Naturally occurring erosion and volcanic activity release these layers containing heavy metals from the geological architecture of the earth. The resulting sediments deposit in rivers, streams, lakes and soil.
Since the onset of the industrial era, manufacturing has greatly increased the rate at which ores are brought to the surface of the earth. Metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, copper, gold, silver, arsenic, manganese and selenium are all used in the manufacturing of everyday products. For example, lead is used to stabilize plastics, which we use at a staggering pace. Mercury and arsenic are the main components of many pesticides, fungicides and herbicides used in agriculture as well as around the home.
Factories producing these products discharge toxic smoke into the air and dispose of wastewater contaminated with heavy metals and other toxins into the waterways and surrounding earth. As plants mature they take in components of the soil and water in which they grow. In this way these toxins cycle back into the food chain.
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Inhaling lead particles results in a higher absorption rate. Although you absorb only 5-15% of lead you ingest, you absorb about 40% of the lead you inhale. |
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Deficiencies of protein, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin E, iron, zinc, and selenium can increase lead absorption in the body. |
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Ascorbic acid can decrease lead absorption. |
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Iron deficiency is the greatest factor for high lead absorption levels in children. |
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Some calcium supplements can be high in lead due to naturally occurring lead in mineral sources. |
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A diet rich in carrots and cabbage is reported to increase lead excretion in the urine. |
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High protein diets have been shown to reduce lead absorption in the body. |
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Keep children from playing near high traffic roadways to avoid exposure to exhaust fumes. |
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Avoid sanding leaded paint. Repaint surfaces painted before 1978 with lead free paints to "seal in" the leaded paint dust that will result from decay if left uncovered. If leaded paint must be removed, have it professionally done and understand the cleanup process thoroughly. The dust from sandblasting and sanding will contaminate indoor surfaces and soil around the area you are trying to detoxify, creating a new problem. These processes vaporize lead, which could result in absorption through inhalation. |
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Do not smoke, and avoid second hand smoke. |
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Run your tap until you feel the temperature change (usually less than a minute) before the first glass of water in the morning or whenever it has sat dormant for a lengthy time. |
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Lower your body's absorption of heavy metals by taking an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals. |
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Children in particular should have an adequate supply of iron. |
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Check with manufacturers for heavy metal levels in your calcium supplements. |
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Wash hands well before eating to remove potentially lead-containing dust and soil. |
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Eat organic foods to avoid pesticides containing heavy metals. |
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Increase carrots, cabbage and protein in the diet. |
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Buy herbal products tested for heavy metals. Testing does not mean complete absence of a heavy metal but rather that the level of that heavy metal falls within established guidelines. Know that there are many established guidelines. Determine which one meets your safety standards. |
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Recognize that heavy metals exist in our environments in ever greater numbers. Drive less, buy less plastic, eat organically grown foods and filter your water with a high quality filter. |
Resources:
1. Generations at Risk Physicians for Social Responsibility (Greater SF Bay Area and Los Angeles Chapters) and CalPIRG (CA Public Interest Research Group)
2. Environmental Poisons in Our Food, J. Gordon Millichap, M.D. PNB Publishers, Chicago, IL 1993
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