Click to jump to: Antimony, Arsenic, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Lead, Mercury, Nickel
Exposure to toxic metals compounds in air, water, toys, electronics, jewelry, and many other products have been linked to cancer, developmental disorders, and a number of other health problems and diseases.
Consumer tips:
Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission Website and search for toys and other products that have been recalled because of lead and other safety reasons.
Get rid of cheap children’s jewelry and avoid buying new pieces because so many items are loaded with toxic lead and cadmium.
Labeling laws in some states may aid you in identifying which products contain certain toxic metals like mercury.
Refer to Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics, which evaluates companies on efforts to remove toxics from their products, as well as on climate impacts and recycling.
Ask retailers and toymakers how they ensure their manufacturers have adhered to high standards. Use your purchasing power to support companies or products that are moving in the right direction.
Antimony
Potential health effects include:
- Heart problems
- Reproductive Disorders
- Respiratory/Lung Symptoms
- Skin Irritations
- Kidney Problems
- Stomach Problems
Found in/used to produce:
Arsenic
Potential health effects include:
Found in/used to produce:
Beryllium
Potential health effects include:
Found in/used to produce:
Cadmium
Potential health effects include:
Found in/used to produce:
Chromium
Potential health effects include:
- Lung disease and cancer
- Gastrointestinal effects
- Neurological effects
- Reproductive/developmental effects
Found in/used to produce:
- Steel & metal alloys
- Chrome plating
- Dyes and pigments
- Leather and wood preservation
- Textiles
- Copying machines toner
Cobalt
Potential health effects include:
Found in/used to produce:
- Alloys
- Batteries
- Chemistry/crystal sets
- Drill bits and machine tools
- Dyes and pigments (Cobalt Blue)
- Magnets
- Tires
- Ceramics
- Paints
Lead
Potential health effects include:
- Brain damage
- Nervous system damage
- Behavior and learning problems
- Lower IQ
- Hearing problems
- Anemia
- Hypertension
- Decreased kidney function
- Reproductive problems (in both men and women)
- Miscarriage
Found in/used to produce:
Mercury
Potential health effects include:
- Fetal developmental problems
- Fetal neurological problems
- Kidney effects
- Central nervous system effects
- Gastrointestinal effects
- Respiratory effects
Found in/used to produce:
- Antiques
- Appliances
- Button Cell Batteries
- Paint
- Skin-lightening creams
- Electronics
- Jewelry
- Lamps/Light bulbs
- Sporting Equipment
- Television Sets
- Thermometers
Nickel
Potential health effects include:
Found in/used to produce:
* Under our weak federal laws, it’s impossible for us to know all the uses of heavy metals in consumer products. As a result, this is not an exhaustive list of all products containing heavy metals.