Hazards of heavy metal contamination.

Heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic pose real health risks—and cadmium exposure is a particular concern because many people in Europe already exceed safe levels with very little margin for safety. Cadmium can damage kidneys and bones at lower exposure levels than previously thought, while mercury mainly enters our bodies through fish and dental work (pregnant women should be especially cautious). The good news: emissions have declined in developed countries over the past century, but contamination remains a public health issue globally.