Fiona's
Database

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Cigarette smoke, aluminium cooking pans;
aluminium foil;
table salt & baking powder;
aluminium cans;
antacids;
bleached flour;
mains water treatment (aluminium sulfate);
some food additives;
deodorants;
acid rain leaches aluminium out of the soil and into the ground water

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Contact dermatitis;
skeletal demineralization;
slow learning;
interference with calcium and phosphorus metabolism, neurofibrillary tangles in the brain;
possibly linked to Alzheimer’s disease

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Cigarette smoke, wood preservative;
pesticide;
leather, termite treated lumber, rat poisoning, pesticides, herbicides, pigments. Drinking water in areas where there are arsenic deposits ( More than 140 million people worldwide and 4 million Americans chronically ingest arsenic in their drinking water). High levels may be found in rice, as a result of water used in growing the crop, being contaminated with arsenic from arsenic-based-pesticides even though use may have been stopped many years ago)

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Edema of face and eyelids;
generalised itching;
sore mouth;
inflammation of the eyes and nasal membranes;
loss of appetite;
nausea;
vomiting;
diarrhoea;
dry skin;
loss of hair and nails;
may reduce intelligence in children. There are also welldocumented risks of cancer, heart disease, and reduced lung function;
may lead to stem cell dysfunction that impairs muscle healing and regeneration.

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Light structural material;
beryllium oxide is used in ceramics, naturally found in tobacco;
some dental alloys.

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Reduces stores of magnesium;
reduces organ function;
shortness of breath;
coughing;
lung inflammation;
tinnitus

Arthritis, allergies, weak muscles, low testosterone, brain health.

Fiberglass (insulation), polymers, ceramics, fertilizer, insecticides, laundry detergent.

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Reproductive infertility, eye, nose, and throat irritation.

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Cigarette smoke, e-cigarette vapour, galvanised iron;
pesticides;
plastics;
fertilisers;
tyres;
plating;
component in alloys and solders;
PVC stabiliser, pigments, paints, pottery. Cadmium from industrial waste can leach back into soil and water and isn't degraded and so enters the food chain

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Disrupts the transport of the essential metals manganese and zinc into and out of cells;
anaemia;
kidney damage;
probably carcinogenic;
high blood pressure;
lung damage;
atherosclerosis;
leg pain in children & adults;
arthritis;
Alzheimer’s disease.

Dairy products, eggs, canned fish with bones (salmon, sardines), green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, tofu, thyme, oregano, dill, cinnamon.

Preparation of other metals;
calcium oxide important in chemical industry;
present in hard water.

Reduction in peak bone mass;
increased risk of osteoporosis in later life;
nerve sensitivity;
insomnia;
chronic depression;
synthesis and release of neurotransmitters.

Depressed nerve function, drowsiness, extreme lethargy, calcium deposits, kidney stones.

Table salt (as sodium chloride)

Manufacture of chemicals, plastics, paper, purification of water and sewage. Sodium chloride used to deice roads

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Broccoli, grape juice (especially red), meat, whole grain products

Cigarette smoke, e-cigarette vapour, dental work;
metal plating & anodizing aluminium;
stainless steel;
hip replacements;
leather tanning;
paints;
dyes;
explosives;
cement.

Diabetes;
hypoglycemia;
alcohol intolerance;
irritability;
weakness.

Lung disease, anaemia, cerebral oedema, eczema, headaches gastric ulcers.

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Manufacture of tungsten carbide;
hip replacements

Anaemia

Goitre;
hypothyroidism;
heart failure;
tremors;
polycythemia.

Liver, seafood, oysters, nuts, seeds;
some whole grains, legumes

Copper water pipes (particularly in soft water areas);
some medicines;
pesticides;
fungicides;
blood copper levels raised by the contraceptive pill;
brake linings;
wiring;
some contraceptive devices;
dental amalgam;
coins, algicides in hot tubs.

Rheumatoid arthritis;
cardiovascular disease;
impaired immune system;
affects bone & blood formation in infants;
possible role in cardiovascular disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis;
cardiovascular disease;
gastrointestinal irritation (similar to deficiency signs). Zinc deficiency symptoms.

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Dental work;
jewellery;
gold salts for treating rheumatoid arthritis

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Mouth ulceration;
itching;
eczema;
seborrheic dermatitis;
alopecia;
inflamed gums;
gastritis;
colitis;
blood abnormalities;
~kidney damage (from the effect of gold salts).

Seaweed, grains, eggs, iodised salt

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Goitre, reduced growth.

Excess salivation, sneezing, conjunctivitis, headaches, laryngitis, bronchitis, skin rashes;
low sperm count

Meat, seafood, nuts, beans, dark chocolate

Metal for building;
steel, toner for photocopiers and printers, food additive, stainless steel, cast iron cookware;
cosmetics (as iron oxide).

Anaemia;
fatigue;
cracking at corner of mouth;
recurrent mouth ulcers;
sore tongue;
poor hair growth;
brittle nails;
generalized itching.

Abdominal pain;
arthritis;
loss of libido;
damage to liver, heart and pancreas;
people with certain neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and dementia show excessive accumulation of iron in the brain.

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Cigarette smoke, e-cigarette vapour, leaded petrol fumes;
old water pipes;
leaded paint;
lead plumbing;
solder;
improperly glazed pottery;
cigarette ash;
pewter;
lead crystal ware.

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Loss of appetite;
constipation;
headache;
weakness;
blue or black line on gums;
anaemia;
irritability;
vomiting;
poor coordination;
unsteady gait;
visual disturbances;
delirium;
paralysis;
kidney failure;
mainly deposited in bones and teeth.

Spinach, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, peanut butter, avocado

Present in hard water;
alloys;
batteries;
glass;
ceramics;
fillers;
flocculating agents;
magnesium sulphate used in sugar refining. Indian coins.

Muscle dysfunction;
irritability & tension;
fatigue;
premenstrual syndrome;
apathy.

Muscle weakness;
fatigue;
sleepiness;
hyper-excitability

Grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, leafy vegetables, tea, coffee

Cigarette smoke, e-cigarette vapour, textile bleaching, glass manufacture, fertilizers, compounds used in unleaded petrol and pesticides, pottery glazes. US dollar coins.

Joint pains;
dizziness;
schizophrenia.

Lethargy;
involuntary movements;
impairment of voluntary movements;
changes in muscle tone.

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Cigarette smoke, dental amalgam;
pesticides;
fungicides;
cystitis from coal- burning power stations, contaminated fish, vaccines, volcanic emissions, vaccines

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Tremor;
muscle instability;
sensory disturbances;
gastrointestinal symptoms;
dermatitis;
liver and kidney damage;
anaemia;
mental deterioration;
blue line on gums.

Legumes, whole grains, nuts

Compounds used in lubricants

Irritability;
irregular heart beat;
dental caries;
male sexual impotence;
cancer of the oesophagus, works as an antioxidant.

Gout;
increased urinary excretion of copper.

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Cigarette smoke, e-cigarette vapour, stainless steel;
water boiled in a kettle with an element;
clasps;
jewellery;
spectacles;
buckles;
keys;
coins;
diesel fumes;
can be in flour because of milling;
a catalyst for hydrogenating vegetable oils.

May activate certain enzymes and play a role in stabilizing chromosomal material in cell nuclei but at the moment no known diseases are associated with a nickel deficiency.

May be a factor in lung cancer;
frontal headaches;
vertigo;
nausea;
vomiting;
chest pain;
cough. Dermatitis from skin contact with nickel in sensitive people

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Road dust from catalytic converters;
dental work;
electrical components.

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Possibly carcinogenic.

Red meat, dairy foods, fish, poultry, bread, rice, oats.

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Debility;
loss of appetite;
weakness;
bone pain;
tingling sensations;
tremor;
irritability.

Prevents absorption of iron, calcium, magnesium & zinc;
diarrhoea;
calcification of soft tissues

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Jewellery, dental fillings, pacemakers, tobacco, road dust from catalytic converters, LCDs, chemotherapy agents;
high quality glassware

Platinum compounds have antitumour activity.

Platinum salts can cause DNA alterations, cancer, allergic reactions of the skin and the mucous membranes, damage to organs (such as intestines, kidneys and bone marrow) and hearing damage.

Sweet potato, tomato, potato, beans, lentils, dairy products, seafood, banana, prune, carrot, orange

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Hypokalaemia;
can be caused by diarrhoea, medications like furosemide and steroids, dialysis, diabetes insipidus, hyperaldosteronism, hypomagnesemia, and shortage in the diet

Hyperkalaemia;
usually no symptoms;
occasionally when severe results in palpitations, muscle pain, muscle weakness, or numbness

Brazil nuts, seafoods, organ meats, meats, grains, dairy products, eggs

Cigarette smoke, anti-dandruff shampoos;
steel and glass additive

Possible links with some forms of cancer & development of coronary heart disease;
premature ageing

Hair loss, nail changes and loss, fatigue, irritability, nausea, gastrointestinal problems, joint inflammation, “garlic breath”, dental caries;
skin depigmentation;
irritability.

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Granite dust;
sand, cement, porcelain, semiconductor electronics;
ingredient in some toothpastes.

Poor skin, nails, hair and bone density. Needed for synthesis of elastin and collagen, of which the aorta contains the greatest quantity in the human body

Inhalation of crystalline silica dust may lead to silicosis, an occupational lung disease marked by inflammation and scarring in the form of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs.

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Dental amalgam;
jewellery;
food coloring (E174);
electrical components;
silver compounds used in photography

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Argyria (blue-gray/ashen gray darkening of the eyes, nose, throat, skin and nasal septum), kidney damage.

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Natural gas, petroleum, fertilizer, insecticides, matches, wood pulping, rubber vulcanisation, products for treating acne, dandruff, psoriasis etc

Detoxification, proper insulin function, Vitamins B1 and B7 activation, mitochondrial function.

Digestive issues, flatulence, hives, fatigue.

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Found in association with potassium-based minerals in clays, soils, and granites;
by-product of zinc & lead production;
some glass;
jewellery;
dyes;
pigments;
elecronics;
recreational drug contaminant.

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Polyneuritis;
fatigue;
Alzheimer’s;
weight loss;
possibly reduced immunity;
leg pain in adults;
arthritis;
MS;
probably carcinogenic.

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Dental amalgam;
canning;
solder in iron & copper pipes;
compounds used in fungicides and glass coatings.

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Nausea;
colic;
headache;
weakness;
fever;
muscle pain;
joint pain;
tinnitus.

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Dental work;
surgical metal in hip replacements etc.;
jewellery;
sunscreen, filler in many prescription and OTC medicines, cosmetics (as titanium dioxide).

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Possible effects on respiratory system and the brain;
may be carcinogenic.

Oysters, red meat, poultry, nuts, whole grains, dairy products

Cigarette smoke, galvanised iron;
brass;
solder;
die-casting;
tires;
zinc oxide is used in paints, rubber, textiles, sunscreens, cosmetics and plastics.

Persistent leg ulcers & pressure sores;
red, greasy skin on face;
skin problems, poor hair growth;
dandruff;
night blindness;
brittle nails;
white spots on nails.

Impaired copper & iron absorption;
gastro-intestinal disturbances;
mask-like fixed expression;
difficulty in walking;
slurred speech;
hand tremor;
involuntary laughter