by admin-blog-kh | February 27, 2026 8:57 am
Heavy metal poisoning occurs when toxic metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, or cadmium accumulate in the body and interfere with normal biological functions. These metals bind to tissues, causing symptoms that range from nausea and fatigue to kidney failure, cancer, and even death if untreated. Exposure can happen gradually through contaminated water, food, soil, or air, or suddenly through a high-dose incident. Sources of heavy metals include industrial waste, mining, burning coal, old pipes, batteries, paints, and contaminated seafood. For example, mercury poisoning in Kodaikanal during the 1990s highlighted the dangers of careless waste disposal. Lead poisoning is especially harmful to children, while arsenic in groundwater threatens millions globally. Cadmium exposure often comes from cigarette smoke, polluted soil, and certain foods.
In India, heavy metal poisoning is a major concern, with nearly half of children showing elevated lead levels and over 230,000 annual deaths linked to lead exposure. Eighty-one rivers already contain dangerously high metal concentrations. Diagnosis requires blood and urine tests, while treatment may involve eliminating exposure and, in severe cases, chelation therapy to flush metals out of the body. Prevention is crucial, safe industrial practices, clean water, responsible waste management, and awareness can protect communities, especially vulnerable children.
Exposure to heavy metals, like lead, mercury and arsenic, is dangerous to humans. The microscopic heavy metal particles bind to live tissues in the body and stop them from performing their biological functions. This causes bad symptoms and can become life threatening if left untreated. With repeated exposure, the levels of heavy metal molecules in the body can build up to toxic levels.
Heavy metals are found in our environment in small concentrations. They are in the ground water, in the oceans, in the soil and even in the air. High concentrations of heavy metals are usually not found naturally but are created as a result of environmental pollution. This could be due to industrial activities, or bad waste management practices. A famous example of this is the case of mass mercury poisoning faced by locals in Kodaikanal in the 1990s. This was caused by soil and water contamination due to a mercury thermometer manufacturing operation. Mercury waste was being irresponsibly disposed of by the manufacturer and caused mercury poisoning and kidney failure among a large number of their workers.
There are multiple heavy metals that can cause dangerous symptoms in humans:
Lead – Until the mid-1900s, humans actually used lead for many applications, unaware of its toxic properties. Since heavy metals tend to bioaccumulate, i.e. bind to and accumulate within living tissues, we now know that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead tends to accumulate in the teeth and the bones. Lead is used in the manufacturing of pigments, paints, solder, batteries, stained glass, ammunition and ceramic glazes. Workers who manufacture these products have the highest risk of lead poisoning. Old water supply pipes may also be made of lead, contaminating drinking water. Young children are the most vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead poisoning and may suffer permanent damage to the central nervous system when exposed.
Mercury – Mercury is a recognised neurotoxin. It is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature, making it an environmental contaminant that can easily spread from soil to the ground water to the ocean. Burning coal also releases mercury vapours into the air. Most people become exposed to mercury by eating fish from contaminated waters. If the fish that is eaten is higher up in the food chain, it contains higher levels of mercury, through a process called biomagnification – It absorbs the mercury of all of its prey.
Arsenic – Arsenic is found naturally in various rocks. It is released due to industrial processes like mining, smelting and manufacturing. Arsenic dust gets blown into the air, and spreads around these industrial hubs. From the air, it settles into the soil and eventually leach into the ground water. Inorganic arsenic compounds are highly toxic and have been associated with an increased risk of cancer. Arsenic poisoning affects at least 140 million people globally – Most of these are due to contaminated drinking water.
Cadmium – Cadmium is a heavy metal whose most common application is the manufacturing of rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. Cadmium is also found in high concentrations in cigarette smoke. Eating foods grown in soil with high levels of cadmium, especially leafy greens, root vegetables and grains is the most common cause of cadmium poisoning. Animal offal, like kidneys and liver, also likely contain high levels of cadmium. However, this varies depending on location, and does not mean that these foods are bad for you everywhere.
Heavy metal poisoning is, unfortunately, fairly common in India. In Tamil Nadu, Ranipet is a centre of significant heavy metal contamination from decades of industrial activity. Both the ground water and surface water here are compromised, putting the local population at risk. According to a report published in 2024, 81 Indian rivers and tributaries have extremely high concentrations of at least one heavy metal – Most have 2 or more. This is scary, because almost 50% of children in India have elevated lead levels. We see over 230,000 annual deaths from lead exposure in India. We have a combined health and environmental crisis on our hands.
The symptoms of each patient will vary depending on the type of metal they have come in contact with, and the severity of the exposure. With arsenic and lead, symptoms may show up only after a few weeks, but cadmium poisoning symptoms usually show up within a few hours.
Typically, symptoms of low-dose heavy metal poisoning over a long period of time may include abdominal pain[1], nausea, chills, dehydration, chronic headaches, constipation, diarrhoea, numbness in the hands and feet, itchy throat and unexplained fatigue. If left untreated, the symptoms will get worse, and lead to brain damage, memory loss, kidney damage, breathing difficulty, liver damage and cancer.
Acute heavy metal poisoning (high dose single exposure) usually causes symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, losing consciousness and extreme vomiting, in addition to the symptoms of low-dose heavy metal exposure.
Heavy metal poisoning is a medical emergency and must be investigated and treated immediately. If you or someone you know has any of the symptoms of heavy metal poisoning, go to the hospital immediately.
Multiple tests are conducted to test for heavy metal poisoning. Your family doctor will decide which diagnostic tests to conduct based on a physical exam and a conversation with the patient or their caretaker, to find out where, how and to what they may have been exposed. If you suspect your symptoms are related to an exposure to heavy metals, tell your doctor the truth, without any omissions.
A panel of blood and urine tests will be conducted to determine if you have heavy metal poisoning, which element is causing the toxicity and how severe it is. A urine analysis, kidney function tests, liver function tests, complete blood count and an electrocardiogram.
The treatment for heavy metal poisoning depends on the type and severity. The first step is to prevent further exposure to the heavy metals. To achieve this, the source of heavy metal poisoning first needs to be identified, so the problem doesn’t get worse. Avoid any potential foods that may be contaminated, including ocean fish. Do not drink tap water, opting for RO or bottled mineral water instead. Inspect your water filter and check if it is due for cleaning or replacement.
If the heavy metal poisoning is very severe, the doctor may recommend chelation as a treatment option. Chelation therapy removes the accumulated heavy metal particles from your body to prevent further damage. Chelation therapy requires a family doctor’s prescription and supervision[3], and any over-the-counter medicines that claim to achieve the same result should not be trusted. The chelating medication may be prescribed in the form of pills or as an injection. The medicine works by bonding with heavy metal particles and forcing them out of your body through your poop or urine.
Yes, heavy metal poisoning is highly preventable, and doing so is a matter of individual and collective responsibility. On a personal level, wearing appropriate protective gear while working with heavy metals and adhering to safety protocols can help prevent heavy metal poisoning. If you live in an old home, it is a good idea to have a safety expert check for lead paint and old lead pipes. If there is lead in your home environment, have those elements ripped out and replaced immediately for your family’s safety. Be responsible while handling broken thermometers and old batteries. Avoid coal fires. Check all children’s toys for lead. Read the labels on the products you buy, to ensure they are free of lead, mercury and other heavy metals. If you eat a lot of seafood, look into the source of the seafood and the potential levels of mercury. Limit seafood intake if possible. Always wash your hands before you eat.
On a collective level, we need to be more responsible with air and water pollution. Industries must enforce good safety practices for workers. They must also commit to treating industrial effluents and avoid discharging them into the environment. Public education about the effects of heavy metal poisoning is also the need of the hour. We need to educate ourselves about the symptoms, so we can recognise them and get medical treatment immediately. It is crucial to act quickly so the patient can be treated before these metals build up to dangerous levels in the body. Heavy metal poisoning is unfortunately a condition that disproportionately affects our children, and we need to act now to protect them.
Heavy metal poisoning is a serious but preventable health condition when identified early and managed correctly. Timely diagnosis, expert medical care, and preventive measures can significantly reduce long-term damage. At Kauvery Hospital, experienced physicians and advanced diagnostic facilities help detect and treat toxic exposures safely and effectively[4]. With centres across Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, Kauvery Hospital is committed to protecting communities through comprehensive care, awareness, and timely intervention.
What is heavy metal poisoning?
Heavy metal poisoning occurs when toxic metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, or cadmium accumulate in the body and disrupt normal organ function, leading to symptoms that range from mild digestive issues to severe organ damage.
What causes heavy metal poisoning?
It is usually caused by exposure to contaminated water, food, soil, air, industrial waste, old pipes, batteries, paints, cigarette smoke, or polluted seafood.
Which heavy metals are most dangerous to humans?
Lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium are the most harmful. Each affects different organs, including the brain, kidneys, liver, and nervous system.
What are the early symptoms of heavy metal poisoning?
Early symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, headaches, constipation or diarrhoea, numbness in hands and feet, and unexplained weaknesses.
What are the signs of severe heavy metal poisoning?
Severe symptoms can include confusion, vomiting, seizures, loss of consciousness, kidney failure, breathing difficulty, and in extreme cases, death.
How is heavy metal poisoning diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves blood and urine tests to identify the specific metal and its concentration. Doctors may also perform kidney and liver function tests.
Can heavy metal poisoning be treated?
Yes. Treatment includes removing the source of exposure and, in severe cases, chelation therapy, which binds metals and helps eliminate them from the body.
Who is most at risk of heavy metal poisoning?
Children, industrial workers, smokers, people living near polluted areas, and communities relying on contaminated water sources are at higher risk.
Can heavy metal poisoning cause long-term damage?
Yes. Prolonged exposure can lead to permanent brain damage, kidney failure, developmental delays in children, and increased cancer risk.
How can heavy metal poisoning be prevented?
Prevention includes safe industrial practices, clean drinking water, proper waste disposal, avoiding contaminated food sources, and regular health screening in high-risk areas.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet, Radial Road & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and paediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Radial Road – 044 6111 6111 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Maa Kauvery Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Kauvery Cancer Institute, Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 68011
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