Heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, lead, and copper are dangerous toxins for plants and animals. They do not decompose easily and can accumulate in the body, potentially causing damage to organs like the kidneys and nervous system. Organic toxins are equally concerning, as only a small fraction have been tested for safety while tens of thousands circulate. These stable molecules also persist in the environment.

1. Heavy Metals
and
Organic Toxins
Josefin Möller
Luleå Gymnasieskola
NV2C

2. Heavy Metals
• Heavy Metals are metals with a density
over 5 grams/cm3
• They bind strongly to different proteins
• They are not decomposable and are very
dangerous for plants and

3. Cadmium in the
• Cadmium is heavy metal which stores
kidneys and cause damage
• It can also hollow out your bones when
calcium by mistake can be replaced by
cadmium
• It is easily spread and if you are a tobacco-
smoker, you probably have higher cadmium-
levels in your body than other people

4. Mercury
• Mercury is one of the most dangerous
environmental toxins and more than a very
small amount is deadly for many living things
• On humans, mercury causes injuries on the
kidneys and the nervous system
• If a pregnant woman gets exposed to
mercury, it can be transferred to the embryo

5. Lead
• Lead occurs in for instance batteries,
ammunition and fishing-tools
• It stores in your body and provides negative
effects on the nervous system
• It also leads to disorders on the hemoglobin-
composition

6. Copper
• Copper is necessary in the human body, in
very small amount of course
• But in great amount it is very toxic for plants
and animals
• It is spread by pipelines
and brake-covers on
vehicles

7. Organic Toxins
• 30-70 000 different organic chemicals circulate
on the market
• Only 5% of them are tested and they are
accidentally spread to the nature
• The organic toxin molecules are very stable
and thereof very hard to degrade