2023-09-15 15:49:34
What is noticeable at the population level through increased cases of heart disease begins at the molecular level with the ability of divalent cadmium and lead ions to replace divalent ions that are essential for the body. Lead can take the place of calcium and thus disrupt the electrolyte balance in certain tissues. Cadmium is similar to zinc and is able to exchange it in various enzymes and metalloproteins. Both heavy metals are also suspected of replacing copper.
This limits the function of the enzymes. This affects, among other things, antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase. If these enzymes lose their activity, the oxidative stress in the cell increases and lipid peroxidation increases. This in turn promotes the formation of arteriosclerotic plaques.
Arsenic also interferes with fat metabolism. Macrophages begin to store more fats and form foam cells on vessel walls. Arsenic also impairs calcium homeostasis in the heart muscle and can thus cause cardiac arrhythmias. Exposure to heavy metals also correlates with the release of inflammatory markers. Histone deacetylases and histone acetyltransferases catalyze epigenetic modifications. They also contain zinc ions and their function can be impaired by cadmium and lead.
A clear limit value below which no cardiovascular damage would be expected compared to an unexposed population cannot be derived for any of the three metals. It therefore seems logical to reduce the exposure of the population as much as realistically possible.
This was done in the Second Ordinance amending the Drinking Water Ordinance of June 20, 2023. The regulation sets quality criteria for drinking water. Limit values are set for, among other things, pesticides, microbiological contaminants and organic solvents, but also for heavy metals.
The previous limit value for lead and arsenic is 0.01 mg/l and applies until January 11, 2028, following which the limit applies to lead and 0.004 mg/l for arsenic. The limit value for cadmium is 0.003 mg/l and remains unchanged. The limit value for chromium has been reduced from 0.025 mg/l to 0.005 mg/l, which will apply from January 12, 2030. The limits for other heavy metals such as mercury (0.001 mg/l), uranium (0.01 mg/l) and nickel (0.02 mg/l) have not been lowered [2].
Since these are naturally occurring elements, their occurrence in the human environment cannot be completely eliminated. However, human activities that promote the accumulation of heavy metals in certain ecosystems can be controlled (mining, metal industry, waste incineration, application of sewage sludge as fertilizer).
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