heavy metal

A very imprecise term, never defined by any authoritive body, used loosely to refer to both the element and its compounds. It is based on categorization by density, which is rarely a biologically significant property. It is often used as a group name for metals and metalloids that have been associated with contamination and potential toxicity or ecotoxicity. However, the assumption that all so-called "heavy metals" and their compounds have highly toxic or ecotoxic properties is not supported by facts. Even further, the list of "heavy metals" is not clearly defined and has no basis in their chemistry. Even the term "metal" is commonly misused in both toxicological literature and in legislation to mean the pure metal and all the chemical species in which it may exist.

Very often, ther term "heavy metals" is used, based on one of the following "definitions":

The use of the term "heavy metals"  is highly discorouged  by IUPAC.




The term "heavy metal" was found in the following pages:

Link database: CODA-CERVA: Lead
Arsenic-absorbing fern may soak up toxic metal to repel hungry bugs, UF researchers say | EVISA's News
Linking atmospheric mercury to methylmercury in fish | EVISA's News
ICHMET 2020: 20th International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment | EVISA's Agenda of Events
New Packaging Solution Reduces Mercury Content in Tuna | EVISA's News
Link database: Mercury concentrations in the Canadian population, 2007 to 2009
Instrument database: Büchi Labortechnik AG - Digestion Units K-424/K-435
FDA identifies no harmful effects to date with brain retention of gadolinium-based contrast agents for MRIs | EVISA's News
Link database: icct: Update: MMT
Scientists reveal how organic mercury can interfere with vision | EVISA's News
ICOBTE 2015: 13th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements | EVISA's Agenda of Events
Link database: European Commission: Cadmium in Food
Link database: eMedicine: Toxicity, Heavy Metals
Huge field experiment for assessing human ethylmercury risk starting in october | EVISA's News
Material database: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - SRM 1547 - Peach Leaves
Toxic mercury remnants of gold rush will seep into San Francisco area waterways for millennia | EVISA's News
Link database: Toxicity of Mercury
Instrument database: PANalytical B.V. - Axios-Poly
Cadmium Exposure Could Be Damaging Children’s Health more than Lead | EVISA's News
Link database: GreenFacts: Scientific Facts on Mercury