A small amount of selenium has been shown to protect against poisoning by such metals as mercury, cadmium, and silver. Silver poisoning causes a blue-gray discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes, and in high doses it is fatal to humans. Sodium at normal intake levels is beneficial to healthy adults. However, people with heart disease or hypertension should reduce sodium intake to lower the blood pressure. Treatment Options Methods for removal of some trace amounts of toxic metals include distillation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and activated carbon filtration.
All systems are expensive to purhase and operate.
They are normally installed only on the drinking water line. Your County Extension Office or local water treatment equipment company can provide you with more information on water treatment equipment. If metals are present in water because of corrosion of pipes, there are several treatment options which are less expensive than those described above. These filters will increase the hardness of your water, and they must be backwashed periodically. This should be injected ahead of the pressure tank, and may be mixed with chlorine solution if chlorination is also used.