Heavy metals have been around for thousands of years and are used in various applications worldwide. Although the harmful health effects of heavy metals have been known for a long time, exposure to heavy metals seems to be inevitable in today’s world.
What Environmental Engineers Do
Most of the credit for safe drinking water, breathable air, and farmable soil goes to environmental engineers. They dedicate their lives to protecting the earth and its inhabitants from the adverse environmental effects related to recycling, waste disposal, public health and water, and air pollution control, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How Metal Pollutes the Environment
When metals are naturally found in the earth, it’s sometimes difficult to understand how they can pollute the environment. As expected, humans are the main cause of heavy metal pollution. Heavy metals are concentrated by various human activities and sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial waste, fertilizer, paint, and treated wood. Heavy metals can enter plant, animal, and human tissues through inhalation, diet, or physical contact. Some of the most common
metals that are a cause for concern are listed below.
Lead
Traces of lead are found in gasoline, tires, lubricating oil, grease, and firearms, and lead is also the number one heavy metal contaminant.
Zinc
Major sources of zinc pollution include tire wear, motor oil, grease, brake emissions, corrosion, and air deposition, which can be found on surfaces that come into contact with rainwater, such as roofs, gutters, fencing, and drainage systems.
Iron
Iron is commonly used in automobiles for engine parts and the auto body. When these parts begin to rust, it contributes to the contamination of heavy metals in the road, which gets flushed by rainwater back into the ecosystem.
Aluminum
Aluminum is commonly used in today’s industry. For instance, most car bodies are made of aluminum, which contributes to much of the pollution in the world today.
Cadmium
This heavy metal is actually found in cigarettes! Not only is it being inhaled, but it is also being emitted back into the environment. Tires, batteries, and fuel also contain threatening amounts of cadmium.
Exposure to Heavy Metals
The need for environmental engineers is growing as technology progresses and the population increases. Identifying the source of pollution is another important role environmental engineers play. Tracking down the source of the pollution will help with prevention. There are multiple health concerns related to heavy metals, which is why environmental engineers are vital for our health.
What You Can Do for the Environment
The good news is you don’t have to be an environmental engineer to help improve the ongoing effects of pollution. As a family-owned and operated business, our team at Tampa Steel & Supply knows the importance of keeping our earth clean. Contact Tampa Steel today to see how we can help you.
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Or Call Tampa Steel & Supply at (813) 241-2801