This has affected consumers, who suffer from high levels of cadmium in their kidneys. Methyl mercury can damage the central nervous system. The greatest risk is to foetuses. The damage takes the form of impaired neurological functions in children below school age. Locally elevated levels of lead are also a threat to our health.
Children are particularly at risk.
They can ingest lead from soils and street dust. There are substantial amounts of lead stored in urban soils, too. The ongoing accumulation of heavy metals is also a considerable stress factor for the forest ecosystem and for tree vitality. These effects are reinforced by the acidification of soils. Rocks also emit mercury.