Scroll Top

Testing for Military-Associated Toxic Heavy Metal Exposures

Testing for Military-Associated Toxic Heavy Metal Exposures
Testing for Military-Associated Toxic Heavy Metal Exposures
By Med Support News July 22, 2024

Testing for Military-Associated Toxic Heavy Metal Exposures

Military training and warfare can be toxic on many levels – mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Evidence shows significant toxic metal accumulation can occur in artillery and mortar ranges, grenade courts, rocket ranges, battlefields, and small-arm shooting ranges, which is a health hazard for military personnel during wartime and peacetime.1

Civilians living near armed conflicts or military training grounds could also be at high risk of military-related toxic metal exposures. Up to 78,400 metric tons of toxic lead are used annually for ammunition production in the U.S. alone, according to the data from the USGS.2

Research on toxic metal exposures due to military activity is sparse; therefore, many individuals and organizations are unaware of the significant health hazards posed. Long-term adverse health effects associated with exposure to toxic metals include cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, neurological disorders, kidney disease, and many other health concerns.3-7 Fortunately, DiagnosTechs offers non-invasive testing for military-related toxic heavy metal exposures that can be performed in the comfort of your home.

Testing for Military-Associated Toxic Metal Exposures

Toxic Metal Exposures Associated with Military Activity

  • Aluminum1
  • Antimony8
  • Arsenic1
  • Barium9
  • Beryllium1
  • Cadmium8
  • Chromium8
  • Copper8
  • Lead8
  • Mercury10
  • Nickel8
  • Tungsten1
  • Uranium8

Best Testing for Military-Associated Toxic Heavy Metal Exposures

Signs and Symptoms of Toxic Metal Exposure

Patients with chronic toxic metal exposures can be asymptomatic or present with the following unexplained or idiopathic health concerns:

  • Joint and musculoskeletal pain11-13
  • Chronic fatigue11,12,14
  • Hypertension15
  • Nervous system symptoms and disorders, including Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, numbness & tingling of the hands and feet, and weakness6,11,12,16
  • Metabolic disorders, such as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, and difficulty losing weight17-19
  • Anemia (a classic sign of chronic toxic metal exposure)8
  • Cognitive dysfunction, such as memory loss or “brain fog”19
  • Cardiovascular abnormalities, such as cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, or dysrhythmia20-23
  • Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea19
  • Skin disorders, such as eczema or psoriasis12,19
  • Autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis24
  • Mental health and mood concerns11
  • Sleep issues12
  • Headaches11
  • Renal disease19
  • Liver disease19
  • Cancer7,19,25
  • Infertility and reproductive toxicity19,26-28
  • Accelerated Aging13,29

Best Testing for Military-Associated Toxic Metal Exposures

Testing for Exposure to Heavy Metals (The Toxic Metals & Elements Panel)

Ideally, all military personnel and civilians near armed conflicts or military training grounds will be tested at least once annually for exposure to toxic metals. Everyone in the modern world would likely benefit from testing for toxic metal exposures since most individuals are exposed regularly. Research and recent news reports suggest unsafe levels of toxic heavy metals lurk in baby food, dark chocolate, drinking water, juices, and many other foods & beverages.30-33

The Toxic Metals and Elements Panels from DiagnosTechs are non-invasive and offer convenient sample collection in the comfort of your patient’s home. Testing for exposure to toxic metals will allow you to compose an individualized and clinically effective treatment protocol for each patient to support the detoxification of specific toxic heavy metals. Knowing which toxic metals each patient is exposed to will also help determine the source of the toxicity to avoid future exposures.

Testing for Military-Associated Toxic Metal Exposures

To test for exposure to toxic heavy metals, order a Toxic Metals and Elements Panel, which measures the levels of up to 36 different elements, including mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, antimony, beryllium, aluminum, and more.

To place a test order, click here. As a reminder, DiagnosTechs can drop ship test kits directly to your patients. You may select this option at the top of the order form.

Please visit our Provider Tools page for more information about sources of toxic heavy metals, treatment considerations, provocation protocols, frequently asked questions, and more.

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:

MAGNESIUM AND HYPERTENSION

Do you and your patients enjoy watching college basketball games during March Madness every year? We do! Perhaps this year, you could also participate in some Magnesium Madness! What is so mad about magnesium? Well, research shows that at least 48% but up to 75% of the population does not consume enough of this crucial mineral daily. Madness!

ASHWAGANDHA TO REVERSE THE EFFECTS OF ARSENIC EXPOSURE

Arsenic is the “king of poisons” and the “poison of kings.” Throughout history, Machiavellian villains carried out assassinations for personal gain using this odorless, tasteless, and perfect poison.

SYNERGISTIC NUTRIENTS FOR ADRENAL SUPPORT

We often think of supplements as vitamins and minerals that need to be taken only as needed for potential nutrient deficiencies or inadequacies. However, nutritional supplements offer much more and can manifest powerful synergistic benefits that go far beyond simply replacing the vitamins and minerals missing from your diet.

HIDDEN HORMONES IN PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Have you noticed salivary hormone levels trending higher lately? We have certainly noticed this alarming trend in our lab! And we want to let you know we believe it is due to the presence of hidden hormones in personal care products (PCPs). Yes, bioidentical hormones are added to products without being listed as an ingredient. Manufacturers and raw material suppliers are not supposed to add ingredients to products without disclosing them, but; it does occur and seems to be occurring more frequently in recent months, according to our internal data and trends.

References:

  1. Barker AJ, Clausen JL, Douglas TA, et al. Environmental impact of metals resulting from military training activities: A review. Chemosphere. 2021;265:129110. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129110
  2. Lead statistics and information. Lead Statistics and Information | U.S. Geological Survey. July 25, 2023. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/lead-statistics-and-information.
  3. Tan Y, El-Kersh K, Watson SE, et al. Cardiovascular Effects of Environmental Metal Antimony: Redox Dyshomeostasis as the Key Pathogenic Driver. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2023;38(10-12):803-823. doi:10.1089/ars.2022.0185
  4. Aaseth J, Alexander J, Alehagen U, et al. The Aging Kidney-As Influenced by Heavy Metal Exposure and Selenium Supplementation. Biomolecules. 2021;11(8):1078. doi:10.3390/biom11081078
  5. Fu Z, Xi S. The effects of heavy metals on human metabolism. Toxicol Mech Methods. 2020;30(3):167-176. doi:10.1080/15376516.2019.1701594
  6. Ijomone OM, Ifenatuoha CW, Aluko OM, et al. The aging brain: impact of heavy metal neurotoxicity. Crit Rev Toxicol. 2020;50(9):801-814. doi:10.1080/10408444.2020.1838441
  7. Speer RM, Zhou X, Volk LB, et al. Arsenic and cancer: Evidence and mechanisms. Adv Pharmacol. 2023;96:151-202. doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2022.08.001
  8. Skalny AV, Aschner M, Bobrovnitsky IP, et al. Environmental and health hazards of military metal pollution. Environ Res. 2021;201:111568. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111568
  9. Manduca P, Al Baraquni N, Parodi S. Long Term Risks to Neonatal Health from Exposure to War-9 Years Long Survey of Reproductive Health and Contamination by Weapon-Delivered Heavy Metals in Gaza, Palestine. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(7):2538. doi:10.3390/ijerph17072538
  10. Gębka K, Bełdowski J, Bełdowska M. The impact of military activities on the concentration of mercury in soils of military training grounds and marine sediments. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2016;23(22):23103-23113. doi:10.1007/s11356-016-7436-0
  11. de Araújo GC, Mourão NT, Pinheiro IN, et al. Lead Toxicity Risks in Gunshot Victims. PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0140220. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140220
  12. Laubner G, Stražnickaitė I. Case series of chronic occupational lead exposure in shooting ranges. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2022;69:126886. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126886
  13. Chen L, Zhao Y, Liu F, et al. Biological aging mediates the associations between urinary metals and osteoarthritis among U.S. adults. BMC Med. 2022;20(1):207. doi:10.1186/s12916-022-02403-3
  14. Wojcik DP, Godfrey ME, Christie D, Haley BE. Mercury toxicity presenting as chronic fatigue, memory impairment and depression: diagnosis, treatment, susceptibility, and outcomes in a New Zealand general practice setting (1994-2006). Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006;27(4):415-423.
  15. Hopkins CD, Wessel C, Chen O, et al. Potential Roles of Metals in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary and Systemic Hypertension. Int J Biol Sci. 2023;19(16):5036-5054. doi:10.7150/ijbs.85590
  16. Chin-Chan M, Navarro-Yepes J, Quintanilla-Vega B. Environmental pollutants as risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. Front Cell Neurosci. 2015;9:124. doi:10.3389/fncel.2015.00124
  17. Martins AC, Ferrer B, Tinkov AA, et al. Association between Heavy Metals, Metalloids and Metabolic Syndrome: New Insights and Approaches. Toxics. 2023;11(8):670. doi:10.3390/toxics11080670
  18. Liu J, Li X, Zhu P. Effects of Various Heavy Metal Exposures on Insulin Resistance in Non-diabetic Populations: Interpretability Analysis from Machine Learning Modeling Perspective. Biol Trace Elem Res. doi:10.1007/s12011-024-04126-3
  19. Haidar Z, Fatema K, Shoily SS, Sajib AA. Disease-associated metabolic pathways affected by heavy metals and metalloid. Toxicol Rep. 2023;10:554-570. doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.04.010
  20. Bello KAS, Wilke MCB, Simões RP, et al. Chronic exposure to mercury increases arrhythmia and mortality post-acute myocardial infarction in rats. Front Physiol. 2023;14:1260509. doi:10.3389/fphys.2023.1260509
  21. Santos Ruybal MCP, Gallego M, Sottani TBB, et al. Methylmercury Poisoning Induces Cardiac Electrical Remodeling and Increases Arrhythmia Susceptibility and Mortality. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(10):3490. doi:10.3390/ijms21103490
  22. Houston MC. Role of mercury toxicity in hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13(8):621-627. doi:10.1111/j.1751-7176.2011.00489.x
  23. Malamba-Lez D, Tshala-Katumbay D, Bito V, et al. Concurrent Heavy Metal Exposures and Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Case-Control Study from the Katanga Mining Area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9):4956. doi:10.3390/ijerph18094956
  24. Chen L, Sun Q, Peng S, et al. Associations of blood and urinary heavy metals with rheumatoid arthritis risk among adults in NHANES, 1999-2018. Chemosphere. 2022;289:133147. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133147
  25. Harada KH, Soleman SR, Ang JSM, Trzcinski AP. Conflict-related environmental damages on health: lessons learned from the past wars and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Environ Health Prev Med. 2022;27:35. doi:10.1265/ehpm.22-00122
  26. Calogero AE, Fiore M, Giacone F, et al. Exposure to multiple metals/metalloids and human semen quality: A cross-sectional study. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021;215:112165. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112165
  27. Sukhn C, Awwad J, Ghantous A, Zaatari G. Associations of semen quality with non-essential heavy metals in blood and seminal fluid: data from the Environment and Male Infertility (EMI) study in Lebanon. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2018;35(9):1691-1701. doi:10.1007/s10815-018-1236-z
  28. Obasi CN, Frazzoli C, Orisakwe OE. Heavy metals and metalloids exposure and in vitro fertilization: Critical concerns in human reproductive medicine. Front Reprod Health. 2022;4:1037379. doi:10.3389/frph.2022.1037379
  29. Zhang Y, Liu M, Xie R. Associations between cadmium exposure and whole-body aging: mediation analysis in the NHANES. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):1675. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-16643-2
  30. Neuwirth LS, Cabañas E, Cadet P, et al. Cereal and Juice, Lead and Arsenic, Our Children at Risk: A Call for the FDA to Re-Evaluate the Allowable Limits of Lead and Arsenic That Children May Ingest. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(10):5788. doi:10.3390/ijerph19105788
  31. Closer to Zero: Reducing Childhood Exposure to Contaminants from Foods. FDA – U.S Food & Drug Administration. June 7, 2024. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/closer-zero-reducing-childhood-exposure-contaminants-foods.
  32. Lee BY. 23 of 28 dark chocolate bars tested have high lead, cadmium levels. Forbes. February 20, 2024. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2022/12/16/23-of-28-dark-chocolate-bars-tested-have-high-lead-cadmium-levels/.
  33. Rehman K, Fatima F, Waheed I, Akash MSH. Prevalence of exposure of heavy metals and their impact on health consequences. J Cell Biochem. 2018;119(1):157-184. doi:10.1002/jcb.26234