Researchers at Columbia University have found a direct correlation between higher levels of six metals and increased cardiovascular disease and mortality rates. The metals in question are cadmium, tungsten, uranium, cobalt, copper, and zinc.
In a study spanning 18 years, subjects with a mixture of these metals in their urine had a 66 percent higher risk of mortality. Additionally, they experienced a 29 percent increase in cardiovascular disease.
Cadmium, tungsten, and uranium are nonessential metals which can be toxic, while cobalt, copper, and zinc are essential metals that serve significant functions in the body but become harmful in excessive quantities.
The choice of these six metals for the study was based on their association with coronary artery calcification, a marker of atherosclerosis characterized by fatty degeneration of arterial linings, as explained by the researchers.
Elevated levels of these metals in urine may indicate excessive exposure.
The objective of this research is to influence federal policies and regulations related to air pollution, drinking water, food contamination, and consumer products, as stated in the press release by Martinez-Morata.
While Federal regulations have successfully reduced exposure to toxic metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead in water and air by lowering maximum contaminant levels in drinking water and banning leaded gasoline, further study is necessary to understand the contributions of metals such as tungsten and cobalt.
Discover more from Tension News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.