This blog is part of a series on chemical ingredients that are commonly used in consumer products.
Heavy metals are widely used in industrial, agricultural, and technological applications, as well as in consumer products. In cleaning and personal care products, heavy metals may be used to improve product longevity, enhance colorfastness, act as antimicrobial agents, or function as preservatives, binders, or stabilizers.
Despite their utility, many heavy metals raise significant health and environmental concerns. This group of ingredients are among the many harmful chemicals we prohibit in Green Seal-certified products and their packaging to ensure they meet a high standard for protecting people and the planet.
Here, we’ll dive into what heavy metals are, where and why they’re used in consumer products, and how to limit your interactions with this group of elements.
What are Heavy Metals?
Heavy metals are metallic elements with a high atomic weight and a density at least five times greater than water. Elements in this category can be beneficial or toxic to humans — or sometimes both depending on exposure level.
The list of heavy metals of concern includes arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel, and thallium.
Unlike organic pollutants, heavy metals do not degrade over time and can remain in the environment indefinitely. This persistence and ability to accumulate in biological tissues make them particularly hazardous.
In Green Seal-certified products, we prohibit any ingredients that bioaccumulate. Eliminating these chemicals from the supply chain ultimately reduces their persistence in our environment and bodies.
Where Heavy Metals are Used in Consumer Products
Heavy metals and their compounds are used in consumer products as aggregates, colorants, conductors, disinfectants, and preservatives, to name a few functions.
Certain heavy metals are intentionally added in a variety of consumer products:
- Lead can be found in batteries, paints, and some cosmetics such as lipstick, eyeliner, and nail polish
- Mercury is used in thermometers and fluorescent light bulbs
- Cadmium is prevalent in rechargeable batteries, pigments, and coatings
- Arsenic is used in wood preservatives and pesticides
- Silver and zinc compounds are sometimes used in deodorants, wound care products, and surface cleaners
- Aluminum compounds can be found in antiperspirants
Heavy metals also manifest as contaminants from raw materials, manufacturing equipment, or packaging processes in a host of products including cleaning, floor care, and personal care products, cosmetics, and paints.
The Health Risks of Heavy Metals
Many heavy metals and heavy metal compounds are associated with significant adverse health effects. While not all heavy metals are toxic in small amounts, and some — such as zinc, iron, and copper — are essential for biological functions, excessive or prolonged exposure often are hazardous.
The adverse health impacts of heavy metal exposure include neurological damage, kidney disease, bone disorders, and increased risk of cancer. Children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of heavy metals, which can impair development and cause lasting cognitive and behavioral issues. Regulatory agencies worldwide have established guidelines to limit exposure to these known neurotoxins, carcinogens, and endocrine disruptors.
Limiting Exposure
Being aware of the products you use and the places you spend time can help reduce your exposure to the most toxic heavy metals. Since heavy metal toxicity depends on the chemical form, and level and duration of exposure, limiting your interactions with them is often enough to avoid harm. Steer clear of the most toxic heavy metals by being cautious with old or imported products that may not meet current local safety standards, and check ingredient labels on:
- Packaging materials
- Cleaning products
- Paints
- Floor finishes
- Cosmetics
- Personal care items
To be confident your cleaning, personal care, and other household products don’t contain hazardous heavy metals, look for reputable ecolabels like Green Seal. We prohibit these and other harmful ingredients to ensure certified products meet a high standard for protecting people and the planet.