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Testing for Military-Associated Toxic Heavy Metal Exposures

Military Health - Testing for Toxic Heavy Metal Exposure

Military training and warfare can be toxic on many levels – mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Evidence shows significant toxic metal accumulation can occur in artillery and mortar ranges, grenade courts, rocket ranges, battlefields, and small-arm shooting ranges, which is a health hazard for military personnel during wartime and peacetime.1

Civilians living near armed conflicts or military training grounds could also be at high risk of military-related toxic metal exposures. Up to 78,400 metric tons of toxic lead are used annually for ammunition production in the U.S. alone, according to the data from the USGS.2

Research on toxic metal exposures due to military activity is sparse; therefore, many individuals and organizations are unaware of the significant health hazards posed. Long-term adverse health effects associated with exposure to toxic metals include cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, neurological disorders, kidney disease, and many other health concerns.3-7

Military Health - Testing for Toxic Heavy Metal Exposure

Common Toxic Metal Exposures Associated with Military Activity

    • Aluminum1
    • Antimony8
    • Arsenic1
    • Barium9
    • Beryllium1
    • Cadmium8
    • Chromium8
    • Copper8
    • Lead8
    • Mercury10
    • Nickel8
    • Tungsten10
    • Uranium8
      Military Health - Testing for Toxic Heavy Metal Exposure

      Signs and Symptoms of Toxic Heavy Metal Exposure

      Individuals with chronic toxic metal exposures can be asymptomatic or present with the following unexplained health concerns:

      • Joint and musculoskeletal pain11-13
      • Chronic fatigue11-12,14
      • Hypertension (high blood pressure)15
      • Nervous system symptoms and disorders, including Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, numbness, tingling of hands and feet, and weakness6,11,12,16
      • Metabolic disorders, such as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, and difficulty losing weight17-19
      • Anemia8
      • Cognitive dysfunction, such as memory loss or “brain fog”19
      • Cardiovascular abnormalities, such as cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, or dysrhythmia20-23
      • Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea19
      • Skin disorders, such as eczema or psoriasis12,19
      • Autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis24
      • Mental health and mood concerns11
      • Sleep issues12
      • Headaches11
      • Renal disease19
      • Liver disease19
      • Cancer7,19,25
      • Infertility and reproductive toxicity19,26-28
      • Accelerated aging13,29
      Military Health - Testing for Toxic Heavy Metal Exposure

      Testing for Toxic Heavy Metals (The Toxic Metals & Elements Test Panel)

      Ideally, all military personnel and civilians living in or near armed conflicts or military training grounds will be tested at least once annually for exposure to toxic metals. Truly, everyone in the modern world would benefit from testing for toxic metal exposures since most of us are exposed daily. You have probably heard about unsafe levels of toxic metals in baby food, dark chocolate, drinking water, and many other foods & beverages!

      Fortunately, inexpensive and non-invasive toxic metal test panels do not require a blood draw and offer convenient, painless sample collection in the comfort of your home. Once you have your test results, your physician will compose an individualized and clinically effective treatment protocol to support the detoxification of the toxic metals. Knowing which toxic metals are in your body will also help you determine the source to avoid future exposures.

      Military Health - Testing for Toxic Heavy Metal Exposure

      InterPlexus Supplements that Support the Gentle Detoxification of Toxic Heavy Metals*

      Adapt is a physician-formulated blend that includes Ashwagandha, zinc, and B vitamins to support the detoxification of toxic metals and other endocrine disruptors.*

      Adapt is a physician-formulated blend that includes Ashwagandha, zinc, and B vitamins to support the detoxification of toxic metals and other endocrine disruptors.*

      B-KalmPlexus offers B vitamins, magnesium, Ashwagandha, and phosphatidylserine to support mitochondrial function and the detoxification of toxic metals.*

      B-KalmPlexus is a synergistic blend of B vitamins, magnesium, Ashwagandha, and phosphatidylserine that supports mitochondrial function and the detoxification of toxic metals.*

      Flavo-PlexC is a potent blend of antioxidants that contains vitamin C, bioflavonoids, Ashwagandha, and magnesium to support cellular health and the detoxification of toxic metals.*

      Flavo-PlexC is a potent blend of antioxidants that contains vitamin C, bioflavonoids, Ashwagandha, and magnesium to support cellular health and the detoxification of toxic metals.*

      Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning a new supplement regimen, especially if you take medications or have underlying health conditions.

      *Disclaimer: This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

      References:

      1. Barker AJ, Clausen JL, Douglas TA, et al. Environmental impact of metals resulting from military training activities: A review. Chemosphere. 2021;265:129110. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129110
      2. Lead statistics and information. Lead Statistics and Information | U.S. Geological Survey. July 25, 2023. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/lead-statistics-and-information.
      3. Tan Y, El-Kersh K, Watson SE, et al. Cardiovascular Effects of Environmental Metal Antimony: Redox Dyshomeostasis as the Key Pathogenic Driver. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2023;38(10-12):803-823. doi:10.1089/ars.2022.0185
      4. Aaseth J, Alexander J, Alehagen U, et al. The Aging Kidney-As Influenced by Heavy Metal Exposure and Selenium Supplementation. Biomolecules. 2021;11(8):1078. doi:10.3390/biom11081078
      5. Fu Z, Xi S. The effects of heavy metals on human metabolism. Toxicol Mech Methods. 2020;30(3):167-176. doi:10.1080/15376516.2019.1701594
      6. Ijomone OM, Ifenatuoha CW, Aluko OM, et al. The aging brain: impact of heavy metal neurotoxicity. Crit Rev Toxicol. 2020;50(9):801-814. doi:10.1080/10408444.2020.1838441
      7. Speer RM, Zhou X, Volk LB, et al. Arsenic and cancer: Evidence and mechanisms. Adv Pharmacol. 2023;96:151-202. doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2022.08.001
      8. Skalny AV, Aschner M, Bobrovnitsky IP, et al. Environmental and health hazards of military metal pollution. Environ Res. 2021;201:111568. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111568
      9. Manduca P, Al Baraquni N, Parodi S. Long Term Risks to Neonatal Health from Exposure to War-9 Years Long Survey of Reproductive Health and Contamination by Weapon-Delivered Heavy Metals in Gaza, Palestine. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(7):2538. doi:10.3390/ijerph17072538
      10. Gębka K, Bełdowski J, Bełdowska M. The impact of military activities on the concentration of mercury in soils of military training grounds and marine sediments. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2016;23(22):23103-23113. doi:10.1007/s11356-016-7436-0
      11. de Araújo GC, Mourão NT, Pinheiro IN, et al. Lead Toxicity Risks in Gunshot Victims. PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0140220. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140220
      12. Laubner G, Stražnickaitė I. Case series of chronic occupational lead exposure in shooting ranges. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2022;69:126886. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126886
      13. Chen L, Zhao Y, Liu F, et al. Biological aging mediates the associations between urinary metals and osteoarthritis among U.S. adults. BMC Med. 2022;20(1):207. doi:10.1186/s12916-022-02403-3
      14. Wojcik DP, Godfrey ME, Christie D, Haley BE. Mercury toxicity presenting as chronic fatigue, memory impairment and depression: diagnosis, treatment, susceptibility, and outcomes in a New Zealand general practice setting (1994-2006). Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006;27(4):415-423.
      15. Hopkins CD, Wessel C, Chen O, et al. Potential Roles of Metals in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary and Systemic Hypertension. Int J Biol Sci. 2023;19(16):5036-5054. doi:10.7150/ijbs.85590
      16. Chin-Chan M, Navarro-Yepes J, Quintanilla-Vega B. Environmental pollutants as risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. Front Cell Neurosci. 2015;9:124. doi:10.3389/fncel.2015.00124
      17. Martins AC, Ferrer B, Tinkov AA, et al. Association between Heavy Metals, Metalloids and Metabolic Syndrome: New Insights and Approaches. Toxics. 2023;11(8):670. doi:10.3390/toxics11080670
      18. Liu J, Li X, Zhu P. Effects of Various Heavy Metal Exposures on Insulin Resistance in Non-diabetic Populations: Interpretability Analysis from Machine Learning Modeling Perspective. Biol Trace Elem Res. doi:10.1007/s12011-024-04126-3
      19. Haidar Z, Fatema K, Shoily SS, Sajib AA. Disease-associated metabolic pathways affected by heavy metals and metalloid. Toxicol Rep. 2023;10:554-570. doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.04.010
      20. Bello KAS, Wilke MCB, Simões RP, et al. Chronic exposure to mercury increases arrhythmia and mortality post-acute myocardial infarction in rats. Front Physiol. 2023;14:1260509. doi:10.3389/fphys.2023.1260509
      21. Santos Ruybal MCP, Gallego M, Sottani TBB, et al. Methylmercury Poisoning Induces Cardiac Electrical Remodeling and Increases Arrhythmia Susceptibility and Mortality. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(10):3490. doi:10.3390/ijms21103490
      22. Houston MC. Role of mercury toxicity in hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13(8):621-627. doi:10.1111/j.1751-7176.2011.00489.x
      23. Malamba-Lez D, Tshala-Katumbay D, Bito V, et al. Concurrent Heavy Metal Exposures and Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Case-Control Study from the Katanga Mining Area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9):4956. doi:10.3390/ijerph18094956
      24. Chen L, Sun Q, Peng S, et al. Associations of blood and urinary heavy metals with rheumatoid arthritis risk among adults in NHANES, 1999-2018. Chemosphere. 2022;289:133147. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133147
      25. Harada KH, Soleman SR, Ang JSM, Trzcinski AP. Conflict-related environmental damages on health: lessons learned from the past wars and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Environ Health Prev Med. 2022;27:35. doi:10.1265/ehpm.22-00122
      26. Calogero AE, Fiore M, Giacone F, et al. Exposure to multiple metals/metalloids and human semen quality: A cross-sectional study. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021;215:112165. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112165
      27. Sukhn C, Awwad J, Ghantous A, Zaatari G. Associations of semen quality with non-essential heavy metals in blood and seminal fluid: data from the Environment and Male Infertility (EMI) study in Lebanon. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2018;35(9):1691-1701. doi:10.1007/s10815-018-1236-z
      28. Obasi CN, Frazzoli C, Orisakwe OE. Heavy metals and metalloids exposure and in vitrofertilization: Critical concerns in human reproductive medicine. Front Reprod Health. 2022;4:1037379. doi:10.3389/frph.2022.1037379
      29. Zhang Y, Liu M, Xie R. Associations between cadmium exposure and whole-body aging: mediation analysis in the NHANES. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):1675. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-16643-2

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