Heavy Metal Toxicity
Many studies suggest that the epidemic rise of autism spectrum disorders is due to the fact that we are living in an evermore hostile environment, a world filled with pollution and toxins. We know that our toxic environment is to blame for many diseases and conditions, and now it seems that we can add autism to this list.
Environmental toxins include pesticides, emissions, dioxins and PCBs, Nicotine, Solvents and heavy metals. In this blog post, we will examine the link between heavy metal exposure and autism, and how this can be combated.
Many studies suggest that the epidemic rise of autism spectrum disorders is due to the fact that we are living in an evermore hostile environment, a world filled with pollution and toxins. We know that our toxic environment is to blame for many diseases and conditions, and now it seems that we can add autism to this list.
Environmental toxins include pesticides, emissions, dioxins and PCBs, Nicotine, Solvents and heavy metals. In this blog post, we will examine the link between heavy metal exposure and autism, and how this can be combated.
Heavy Metals
Some research has linked autism with heavy metal exposure, but what are heavy metals and how are our children exposed to them?
Doesn’t the body excrete such toxins?
Generally, the body is able to cope with exposure to heavy metals by excreting them as waste products. However, autistic children may have a metabolism that is unable to do this efficiently and these heavy metals build up in the body. This build up starts to damage and poison the body, causing developmental problems and impairment.
Some research has linked autism with heavy metal exposure, but what are heavy metals and how are our children exposed to them?
- Mercury – Mercury is used as a preservative (thimerosal) in certain medicines and some vaccines, and is also a by-product emitted by various industrial processes. Mercury is poisonous in high doses and the symptoms of mercury poisoning are incredibly similar to autism symptoms.
- Cadmium – Cadmium is in the air we breathe and the water we drink, and comes from smoking and pollution.
- Lead – Lead is found in old water pipes, old paint and leaded fuel. High lead levels in children have been linked to learning problems, cognitive impairment, aggression and other problems.
- Manganese – Manganese is found in the environment in wastewater, sewage, the mining and mineral processing industries and in industrial emissions. High levels have been linked to hyperactivity and learning disabilities.
Doesn’t the body excrete such toxins?
Generally, the body is able to cope with exposure to heavy metals by excreting them as waste products. However, autistic children may have a metabolism that is unable to do this efficiently and these heavy metals build up in the body. This build up starts to damage and poison the body, causing developmental problems and impairment.
Cutting the toxic load
You should reduce your child’s exposure to toxins by:-
- Using reverse osmosis drinking water.
- Eating organic foods
- Avoiding the use of pesticides in the garden
- Using “natural” cleaning and laundry products rather than harsh chemicals
- Using a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner and in your child’s room
- Avoiding cooking wrap and aluminum products in cooking
- Avoiding the use of solvents, adhesives, varnishes and paints around your child
Cutting your child’s toxic load, healing the gut, nourishing your child with a good diet and supplements, and using HBOT therapy will all help to heal your child of the damage caused by heavy metal exposure.
Heavy Metal Poisoning
While lead poisoning is a notorious problem, few people are aware that other heavy metals also commonly cause poisoning. Zinc and cadmium cause the same signs of illness as does lead and can easily be mistakenly diagnosed as lead poisoning. Mercury poisoning will more rarely occur. Sources of lead in the environment have diminished in recent years, but sources of zinc, cadmium and mercury have not. The incidence of heavy metal poisoning due to cadmium and zinc is increasing, and may be approaching that of lead. This article will cover the clinical signs, sources of and treatments for heavy metal poisoning in cockatiels.
Sources of Heavy Metals
The heavy metals of concern include lead, zinc, cadmium, and mercury. There are a large number of metals in all, with most being so scarce that they are of little significance. One metal, calcium, is required by the body in large amounts and is essentially non-toxic. Lead is probably the most common heavy metal that causes poisoning in cockatiels. Lead is used for its conductive properties (electrical and heat), to insulate (radiation, e.g. x-rays), to protect other metals from oxidation (hardware cloth), for its malleability (it can be molded around things like stained glass and bottles), and its heavy weight. Lead is found throughout the typical home, including:
Sources of Lead
Zinc, cadmium and mercury are called transitional elements. The properties of their atoms are such that they are extremely likely to react with different chemicals in the body. These reactions are often very harmful to the body. Cadmium is found in aluminum solder, plating of lead and iron, artists paints, and batteries. Because of its use in soldering and plating (to protect metals from corrosion), it is commonly found coating certain fencing and wire materials. These are often the products people mistakenly use for caging materials. Examples include wire mesh material, rabbit cage material, soldered mesh and the like. Cadmium is extremely poisonous. Mercury is less commonly available around the home. It is used in thermometers, thermostats, in certain disinfectants (mercurochrome) and antifungal agents. Mercury is highly toxic when ingested and is even toxic when it contacts skin. Some forms of mercury are insoluble (mercurochrome) and thus non-toxic. Mercury vapors are extremely toxic, often causing severe pneumonia. Zinc is used in soldering compounds, galvanized wire, batteries, and certain paints. Zinc is not very toxic. In fact, zinc is a trace element that is required in the diet. A zinc deficiency causes anemia and retardation of growth and development. Significant excesses are toxic and produce signs similar to lead poisoning.
Prevention of Poisoning
Because heavy metals are so common throughout the environment, avoidance of exposure is important. Cockatiels should never be allowed to play outside their cages without supervision. Besides heavy metal poisoning, there are many other hazards throughout the home. The environment should be inspected for the presence of heavy metals and the sources should be removed from the area if possible. Since cage and fencing materials are common sources for heavy metals, proper selection of nontoxic materials is important. Stainless steel and welded wire should be used. Cage clips should be made from alloys that do not contain lead. Toys should be inspected for lead.
Signs of Heavy Metal Poisoning
Cadmium and mercury are closely related in their biological actions as are lead and zinc. All four produce signs of heavy metal poisoning that can be indistinguishable from one another. Mercury can be divided into inorganic and organic mercury. Inorganic mercury is absorbed from the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Organic mercury cannot only be absorbed from the lungs and gastrointestinal tract but also through the skin. Two types of mercury poisoning occur, acute and chronic. Inhalation pneumonia and sudden death occur with acute poisoning. Chronic mercury poisoning causes increased salivation, mouth irritation, bronchopneumonia (when inhaled), nose bleeds, feather loss, diarrhea, blood in the stool, kidney disease, ataxia (stumbling), and convulsions. Clinical tests may show a non-regenerative anemia (a low red blood cell count). Cadmium is toxic in extremely low levels. Because of this tests may fail to pick up a poisoning due to cadmium. Signs of cadmium toxicity are very similar to mercury and include bloody diarrhea, convulsions, and disorientation. Lead most commonly effects the gastrointestinal tract and neurological system, leading to signs associated with these organs. Diarrhea and bloody urine are common. Diarrhea is often green in color. Cockatiels often show somewhat vague signs, including fluffed appearance, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Surprisingly, paralysis of one leg may be the only presenting sign of lead poisoning, although paralysis of both legs is more common. Convulsions and seizures may occur. Zinc is required in the diet (an essential trace mineral) and is not toxic in moderate amounts. Excesses will cause signs of heavy metal poisoning similar to lead.
Acute Poisoning
A diagnosis of heavy metal poisoning is often a challenge because owners are rarely aware of exposure to heavy metals. In fact, most owners will swear that there was no chance for exposure. After carefully searching the home, they often uncover the source of the poisoning. Sometimes the source is never found, leaving the possibility that future poisonings may occur. A history of unsupervised access to the house is helpful. New caging materials or owner constructed caging materials may lead to the diagnosis. An in- depth discussion of cage materials, habits of the bird (e.g. chewing on stain glass or mirrors), and types of toys present should be included in the history of sick cockatiels.
Complete Blood Count:
Diagnostic tests may show a mild increase in the total white blood cell count. Mild to severe anemia is present if the poisoning has been developing for a while.
Radiographs:
Heavy metal dense objects in the gizzard may be seen with some cases of poisonings. Still, there are many other objects that are normally present in the gizzard that can be equally radiodense as heavy metals. Lead can be slowly accumulated in the body from relatively minute particles, eventually causing lead poisoning. Because of this, metal dense objects are not always seen in the gizzard. In other words, the absence of metal dense objects in the gizzard does not rule out the possibility of heavy metal poisoning, and the presence of a radiodense object does not confirm the diagnosis.
Blood / Tissue Levels of Heavy Metals:
Blood levels of lead, cadmium, mercury or zinc can aid in the diagnosis. Cadmium must be measured carefully due to the minute quantities necessary for poisoning. Routine testing for lead, cadmium and zinc is needed in all cases suspected of being heavy metal poisonings.
Treatment of Heavy Metal Poisoning
Treatment of heavy metal poisoning in cockatiels would include the removal of excess metal from the gizzard, decreasing the blood level of the metals, and general supportive care.
Removal Of Heavy Metal From The Gizzard:
If there is radiographic evidence of lead or other metals in the gizzard, attempts should be made to remove it. Feeding high fiber diets may aid in this. Metamucil can be spread onto the top of vegetables and seeds. Giving a drop or two of mineral oil twice daily may help dislodge the metal from the gizzard. If the metal persists in the gizzard after a few weeks, surgical removal may be needed. Surgery is dangerous, so it should be used as a last resort, and only after the bird has regained its strength through other treatments.
Conclusions
If diagnosed early, most cases of heavy metal poisoning can be cured. Some birds will die so suddenly that the owner may think he or she died of a heart attack. All dead birds should have a post mortem examination, and the owner should carefully examine the environment for signs of any chewing on cage wires, toys, walls and the like. Unfortunately, not all birds can be saved. Some will not respond to therapy soon enough, and others with severe neurological disease may recover but still have seizures or paralysis. As with all poisonings, prevention is the key.
Heavy Metal Poisoning
While lead poisoning is a notorious problem, few people are aware that other heavy metals also commonly cause poisoning. Zinc and cadmium cause the same signs of illness as does lead and can easily be mistakenly diagnosed as lead poisoning. Mercury poisoning will more rarely occur. Sources of lead in the environment have diminished in recent years, but sources of zinc, cadmium and mercury have not. The incidence of heavy metal poisoning due to cadmium and zinc is increasing, and may be approaching that of lead. This article will cover the clinical signs, sources of and treatments for heavy metal poisoning in cockatiels.
Sources of Heavy Metals
The heavy metals of concern include lead, zinc, cadmium, and mercury. There are a large number of metals in all, with most being so scarce that they are of little significance. One metal, calcium, is required by the body in large amounts and is essentially non-toxic. Lead is probably the most common heavy metal that causes poisoning in cockatiels. Lead is used for its conductive properties (electrical and heat), to insulate (radiation, e.g. x-rays), to protect other metals from oxidation (hardware cloth), for its malleability (it can be molded around things like stained glass and bottles), and its heavy weight. Lead is found throughout the typical home, including:
Sources of Lead
- Lead weights to keep dries hanging correctly
- Wine bottle wraps
- Stain glass windows
- Behind some types of mirrors to allow them to reflect images properly
- Batteries
- Jewelry
- Tile and linoleum
- Hardware cloth, Galvanized wire
- Very old paints
- Lead weights in certain toys
- Lead traced into the house on the soles of peoples shoes
Zinc, cadmium and mercury are called transitional elements. The properties of their atoms are such that they are extremely likely to react with different chemicals in the body. These reactions are often very harmful to the body. Cadmium is found in aluminum solder, plating of lead and iron, artists paints, and batteries. Because of its use in soldering and plating (to protect metals from corrosion), it is commonly found coating certain fencing and wire materials. These are often the products people mistakenly use for caging materials. Examples include wire mesh material, rabbit cage material, soldered mesh and the like. Cadmium is extremely poisonous. Mercury is less commonly available around the home. It is used in thermometers, thermostats, in certain disinfectants (mercurochrome) and antifungal agents. Mercury is highly toxic when ingested and is even toxic when it contacts skin. Some forms of mercury are insoluble (mercurochrome) and thus non-toxic. Mercury vapors are extremely toxic, often causing severe pneumonia. Zinc is used in soldering compounds, galvanized wire, batteries, and certain paints. Zinc is not very toxic. In fact, zinc is a trace element that is required in the diet. A zinc deficiency causes anemia and retardation of growth and development. Significant excesses are toxic and produce signs similar to lead poisoning.
Prevention of Poisoning
Because heavy metals are so common throughout the environment, avoidance of exposure is important. Cockatiels should never be allowed to play outside their cages without supervision. Besides heavy metal poisoning, there are many other hazards throughout the home. The environment should be inspected for the presence of heavy metals and the sources should be removed from the area if possible. Since cage and fencing materials are common sources for heavy metals, proper selection of nontoxic materials is important. Stainless steel and welded wire should be used. Cage clips should be made from alloys that do not contain lead. Toys should be inspected for lead.
Signs of Heavy Metal Poisoning
Cadmium and mercury are closely related in their biological actions as are lead and zinc. All four produce signs of heavy metal poisoning that can be indistinguishable from one another. Mercury can be divided into inorganic and organic mercury. Inorganic mercury is absorbed from the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Organic mercury cannot only be absorbed from the lungs and gastrointestinal tract but also through the skin. Two types of mercury poisoning occur, acute and chronic. Inhalation pneumonia and sudden death occur with acute poisoning. Chronic mercury poisoning causes increased salivation, mouth irritation, bronchopneumonia (when inhaled), nose bleeds, feather loss, diarrhea, blood in the stool, kidney disease, ataxia (stumbling), and convulsions. Clinical tests may show a non-regenerative anemia (a low red blood cell count). Cadmium is toxic in extremely low levels. Because of this tests may fail to pick up a poisoning due to cadmium. Signs of cadmium toxicity are very similar to mercury and include bloody diarrhea, convulsions, and disorientation. Lead most commonly effects the gastrointestinal tract and neurological system, leading to signs associated with these organs. Diarrhea and bloody urine are common. Diarrhea is often green in color. Cockatiels often show somewhat vague signs, including fluffed appearance, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Surprisingly, paralysis of one leg may be the only presenting sign of lead poisoning, although paralysis of both legs is more common. Convulsions and seizures may occur. Zinc is required in the diet (an essential trace mineral) and is not toxic in moderate amounts. Excesses will cause signs of heavy metal poisoning similar to lead.
Acute Poisoning
- Diarrhea, greenish in color
- Hemoglobinuaria, causing a rust-red color to stool
- Ataxia, a stumbling or drunk appearance
- Paralysis
- Blindness
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Convulsions and seizures
- Pneumonia when volatile vapors are inhaled, especially with mercury poisoning
- All the above signs of acute poisoning
- Poor feather condition, darkened feathers, and weak feathers
- Weak and deformed beak
A diagnosis of heavy metal poisoning is often a challenge because owners are rarely aware of exposure to heavy metals. In fact, most owners will swear that there was no chance for exposure. After carefully searching the home, they often uncover the source of the poisoning. Sometimes the source is never found, leaving the possibility that future poisonings may occur. A history of unsupervised access to the house is helpful. New caging materials or owner constructed caging materials may lead to the diagnosis. An in- depth discussion of cage materials, habits of the bird (e.g. chewing on stain glass or mirrors), and types of toys present should be included in the history of sick cockatiels.
Complete Blood Count:
Diagnostic tests may show a mild increase in the total white blood cell count. Mild to severe anemia is present if the poisoning has been developing for a while.
Radiographs:
Heavy metal dense objects in the gizzard may be seen with some cases of poisonings. Still, there are many other objects that are normally present in the gizzard that can be equally radiodense as heavy metals. Lead can be slowly accumulated in the body from relatively minute particles, eventually causing lead poisoning. Because of this, metal dense objects are not always seen in the gizzard. In other words, the absence of metal dense objects in the gizzard does not rule out the possibility of heavy metal poisoning, and the presence of a radiodense object does not confirm the diagnosis.
Blood / Tissue Levels of Heavy Metals:
Blood levels of lead, cadmium, mercury or zinc can aid in the diagnosis. Cadmium must be measured carefully due to the minute quantities necessary for poisoning. Routine testing for lead, cadmium and zinc is needed in all cases suspected of being heavy metal poisonings.
Treatment of Heavy Metal Poisoning
Treatment of heavy metal poisoning in cockatiels would include the removal of excess metal from the gizzard, decreasing the blood level of the metals, and general supportive care.
Removal Of Heavy Metal From The Gizzard:
If there is radiographic evidence of lead or other metals in the gizzard, attempts should be made to remove it. Feeding high fiber diets may aid in this. Metamucil can be spread onto the top of vegetables and seeds. Giving a drop or two of mineral oil twice daily may help dislodge the metal from the gizzard. If the metal persists in the gizzard after a few weeks, surgical removal may be needed. Surgery is dangerous, so it should be used as a last resort, and only after the bird has regained its strength through other treatments.
Conclusions
If diagnosed early, most cases of heavy metal poisoning can be cured. Some birds will die so suddenly that the owner may think he or she died of a heart attack. All dead birds should have a post mortem examination, and the owner should carefully examine the environment for signs of any chewing on cage wires, toys, walls and the like. Unfortunately, not all birds can be saved. Some will not respond to therapy soon enough, and others with severe neurological disease may recover but still have seizures or paralysis. As with all poisonings, prevention is the key.
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