ABUSE ME and you’ll see

HARMFUL ELEMENTS

CadmiumFish are not normally cast out of pure

cadmium, but if you're making a periodic table poster, why not? The hint of yellow

is a bit of cadmium oxide, a favorite pigment of the impressionist painters,

notably Monet.

Breathing high levels of cadmium may severely damage the lungs and can cause death. Eating food or drinking water with very high levels severely irritates the stomach, causing vomiting and diarrhea. Cadmium mainly

accumulates in the kidneys and liver and can lead to serious kidney failure

MERCURYMercury is a chemical element with the

symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum

A heavy, silvery d-block element, mercury is the only metal that is liquid at standard conditions for temperature and pressure

Mercury has a number of effects on humans, that can all of them be simplified into the following main effects:- Disruption of the nervous system- Damage to brain functions - DNA damage and chromosomal damage- Negative reproductive effects, such as sperm damage, birth defects and miscarriages- Allergic reactions, resulting in skin rashes, tiredness and headaches

LeadLead pipes have been in use for

thousands of years. In some cases the same pipe the whole time. This exotic six-

way union was hand made by an apprentice decades ago, and it duly

impressed the master.

Exposure to lead and lead compounds can be toxic to humans and wildlife. Potential effects in humans are abdominal cramps, learning

disabilities, attention deficit disorder, constipation, anemia, tiredness, nerve damage, vomiting, convulsions, anorexia, and brain damage.

CobaltCobalt is used in pigments, notably cobalt

blue, and in high-strength, high-temperature steel alloys. High purity

cobalt is obtained by electrolyzing cobalt ions out of solution, resulting in bumpy

plate like this.

Cobalt inhalation can lead to ‘hard metal disease’, respiratory sensitization, pneumonia, wheezing, and asthma. 

BerylliumThis pure broken crystal of refined

beryllium ordinarily would be melted down and turned into strong,

lightweight parts for missiles and spacecraft. It is expensive and toxic,

but unbeatable when cost is no object.

CBD - berylliosis or chronic beryllium diseasePrimarily a lung disease, CBD may also affect other organs, such as the

lymph nodes, skin, spleen, liver, kidneys, and heart. Short-term beryllium exposure may lead to inflammation, reddening or swelling of the lungs, a condition known as Acute Beryllium Disease. If beryllium enters cuts

in the skin, non-cancerous ulcerating growths may form.

HeliumOrdinarily a colorless, inert gas, helium

glows pale peach when an electric current runs through it. A glass blower

bent a tube to the shape of the letters He and filled it with pure helium. I lit it with

high voltage.

• excessive inhaling of helium is dangerous as it may cause death by asphyxiation within minutes

• Helium is flammable

UraniumThis is a chunk of depleted uranium

metal, which is used in armor-piercing ammunition and counterweights. Only

20% less radioactive than natural uranium, it creates deadly hazards

when used in anger.

Because uranium is a radioactive substance health effects have been researched. Scientists have detected no harmful radiation effects of

natural levels of uranium. However, chemical effects may occur after the uptake of large amounts of uranium and these can cause health

effects such as kidney disease.

ChromiumMany shiny things are chrome-plated; these chips show the result if you keep

plating until a thick slab is built up. This process, called electrowinning, is

how high-purity chromium is obtained from solution.

Chromium VI - Breathing high levels of chromium (VI) can cause irritation to the nose, such as runny nose, nosebleeds, and ulcers and holes in the nasal septum. Ingesting large amounts of chromium (VI) can cause stomach upsets and ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver damage, and even death.

PlutoniumThis plutonium pacemaker battery

case is empty--fortunately. If it were full, possession of it anywhere outside

a body would be a crime. All no-longer-needed plutonium batteries must go

home to Los Alamos.

Plutonium may enter surface water from accidental releases and disposal of radioactive wastes. Soil can become contaminated with

plutonium through fallout during nuclear weapons testing. Plutonium moves slowly downwards in the soil, into the

groundwater.

ArsenicArsenic is a chemical element with a

symbol As and atomic number 33. Arsenic occurs in many minerals,

usually in conjution with sulfur and metals, and also as a pure elemental

crystal

Arsenic poisoning is a medical condition caused by elevated levels of arsenic in the body. The dominant basis of arsenic poisoning is from ground water that naturally contains high concentrations of arsenic. A 2007 study found that over 137 million people in more than 70 countries are probably affected by arsenic poisoning from drinking water.

Prepared by:Group 4, St. Clement

Miguel Luis ReyesNathaniel Brian PoMarc Louis PocopioJuan Mig Pio RodaZymon Rodriguez