A new study says that exposure to heavy metal toxins from common household goods like glazed pottery and pesticides can harm your health. Apparently, heavy metal arsenic, lead and mercury are also present in herbal food supplements, old painted surfaces and leaded crystal.
Some general symptoms of heavy metal toxicity include hearing loss, impaired concentration, personality changes and loss of feeling, especially in the fingertips.
Dietary supplements, especially those from China, can also be a source of lead exposure.
Certain kinds of fish like tuna, bass, pike, swordfish and shark may contain high levels of mercury, says the article published in the January issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
Blood tests can be used to determine if a person has toxic levels of heavy metals, says the report. But it said that limited exposure to heavy metals is not likely to cause any harm.