Common zinc compounds found at hazardous waste sites include zinc chloride, zinc oxide, zinc sulfate, and zinc sulfide. Zinc compounds are widely used in industry to make paint, rubber, dye, wood preservatives, and ointments. Some is released into the environment by natural processes, but most comes from activities of people like mining, steel production, coal burning, and burning of waste. It attaches to soil, sediments, and dust particles in the air. Rain and snow remove zinc dust particles from the air.
Zinc compounds can move into the groundwater and into lakes, streams, and rivers.
Most of the zinc in soil stays bound to soil particles. It builds up in fish and other organisms, but it doesn't build up in plants. Drinking contaminated water near manufacturing or waste sites Drinking contaminated water or a beverage that has been stored in metal containers or flows through pipes that have been coated with zinc to resist rust Eating too many dietary supplements that contain zinc Breathing zinc particles in the air at manufacturing sites. Zinc is an essential element in our diet. Too little zinc can cause health problems, but too much zinc is also harmful.