Heavy Metal Poisoning

What Is Heavy Metal Poisoning? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Cathy Cassata
By Medically Reviewed by 
Reviewed:
Medically Reviewed

Heavy metal poisoning is caused by the accumulation of certain metals in the body due to exposure through food, water, industrial chemicals, or other sources.

While your body needs small amounts of some heavy metals to function normally — such as zinc, copper, chromium, iron, and manganese — toxic amounts are harmful.

If your body’s soft tissues accumulate too much of these substances, the resulting poisoning can cause serious health problems.

Signs and Symptoms of Heavy Metal Poisoning

Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning depend on the type of metal causing toxicity, and the duration of symptoms due to heavy metal poisoning vary depending on which type of metal you were exposed to. With arsenic and lead exposure, for example, symptoms may not show up for two to eight weeks.

With cadmium poisoning, however, symptoms may arise hours after you’re exposed.

If you have acute heavy metal poisoning — meaning you were exposed to a large amount of metal at once (for example, by swallowing a toy) — your symptoms may include:

  • Confusion
  • Numbness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Falling into a coma

Long-term or chronic exposure to lower levels of heavy metals may cause symptoms that develop slowly over time. Symptoms may include:

True heavy metal poisoning is rare, and it can be difficult to diagnose since many of the symptoms can be the same as other health problems.

Causes and Risk Factors of Heavy Metal Poisoning

Heavy metal poisoning can be caused by:

  • Industrial exposure
  • Air or water pollution
  • Foods
  • Medicines
  • Improperly coated food containers, plates, and cookware
  • Ingestion of lead-based paints
  • Ingestion of insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides

How Is Heavy Metal Poisoning Diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you if you’ve been exposed to any substances that are known to cause poisoning. They may also order one of the following tests to make a diagnosis:

  • Complete blood count with blood smear
  • Kidney function tests
  • Urine test
  • Liver function test
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Your symptoms and specific exposure will determine which test you receive. The following metals are the ones most tested for:

  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Arsenic
  • Cadmium
  • Chromium

Prognosis of Heavy Metal Poisoning

If the diagnosis of heavy metal poisoning is made before permanent damage is suspected, the prognosis is good.

Duration of Heavy Metal Poisoning

Duration depends on the type and amount of metal a person has been exposed to. Long-term exposure can result in severe neurological damage or cancer.

Treatment and Medication Options for Heavy Metal Poisoning

When it comes to treating heavy metal poisoning, the first step is to reduce exposure to the substance.

If you experience acute poisoning, you will most likely be treated with chelating agents, which bind to the metal and are then excreted in your urine. They come in pill and injection form.

Some commonly used chelating agent drugs are:

Chelating drugs are only used in acute cases of poisoning because there’s a risk that they can also deplete your body of essential minerals, like iron, that it needs to function, or cause the metals to enter your bloodstream, which could lead them to travel to organs like the brain.

Other forms of treatment may include:

  • Pumping of the stomach to remove ingested metals
  • Activated charcoal, administered orally
  • Hemodialysis, or other special treatments if kidney failure occurs
  • Fluids administered intravenously (through an IV)

Prevention of Heavy Metal Poisoning

The following tips may help you prevent heavy metal poisoning:

  • Wear masks and protective clothing if you work around heavy metals.
  • Since many metals accumulate in dust and dirt, keep these out of your home as much as possible (remove shoes before entering the house).
  • Pay attention to local fish advisories regarding mercury levels.
  • Be aware of potential sources of lead exposure.
  • Check for any heavy metals listed on the labels of products you bring into your home.

RELATED: Eat the Right Fish for Heart Health

Complications of Heavy Metal Poisoning

Lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium are the metals most commonly associated with heavy metal poisoning in the United States. Here are some complications that may arise from each:

  • Lead Poisoning Overexposure can lead to high blood pressure and damage to your reproductive organs.
  • Mercury Poisoning It’s possible to experience lung damage, brain damage, vision problems, skin changes, and gastrointestinal problems.
  • Arsenic Poisoning Overexposure can cause neurological problems, gastrointestinal issues, cancer, and low blood pressure.
  • Cadmium Poisoning You may experience decreased lung and kidney function.

Research and Statistics: Who Has Heavy Metal Poisoning?

Research suggests that gender may influence how a person reacts to metal toxicity, but more research needs to be done to confirm how and why.

While children in the United States are still more prone to getting lead poisoning than adults, since the 1970s, the level of lead in children’s blood has decreased substantially. From 1988 to 2014, the percentage of children ages 1 to 5 years with elevated blood lead levels declined from 25.6 percent to 1.9 percent.

Unborn children and children younger than 3 are most vulnerable to lead poisoning.

Black Americans and Heavy Metal Poisoning

Black children have the highest rates of elevated blood lead levels in the United States.

In a study of national survey data of almost 5,000 children collected over an 11-year period, researchers found that Black children living in poverty are 4 times as likely as poor white or Hispanic children to have elevated levels of lead in their blood.

Related Conditions and Causes of Heavy Metal Poisoning

The following disorders may be associated with heavy metal poisoning:

  • Metal Fume Fever This condition is caused by exposure to the fume of certain metals — for example, when galvanized steel is welded in an area that isn’t properly ventilated.
  • Fanconi’s Anemia This blood disorder can be acquired through acute lead poisoning.
  • Wilson’s Disease With this inherited disorder, excess copper builds up in the body and accumulates in your organs.

Resources We Love

Environmental Working Group

Founded in 1992, EWG educates the public on the ingredients, chemicals, and potential toxins that we interact with on a daily basis. Their consumer guides offer quick and clear guidance on everything from tap water to mercury levels in seafood.

Environmental Protection Agency

The United States EPA has a wealth of information on various heavy metals and their effects on health.

With additional reporting by Abbi Libers and Carlene Bauer.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

Additional Sources

  • Rajkumar V, Lee VR, Gupta V. Heavy Metal Toxicity. StatPearls. September 18, 2022.
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