Zinc, a naturally occurring metallic element, plays a crucial role in various human metabolic processes. While it is commonly found in rocks and minerals, its presence in well water is typically trace. However, when zinc levels exceed the recommended limit of 5 milligrams per liter (mg/L) in drinking water, it can be attributed to galvanized metal corrosion, leading to health concerns.
Environmental Presence and Sources
Zinc, a bluish-white metallic element, is omnipresent in the Earth's crust, found in air, soil, water, and all foods. It plays a key role in industries, coating metals to prevent rust (galvanization), forming alloys like brass, and contributing to products such as batteries and paints.
Zinc Compounds
Zinc combines with elements like chlorine, oxygen, and sulfur to create compounds such as zinc chloride, zinc oxide, zinc sulfate, and zinc sulfide. These compounds, widely used in industries and products like paints, ceramics, and medicines, are also found at hazardous waste sites.
Environmental Zinc Levels
Air Quality
Zinc concentrations in the air vary significantly between rural and urban areas. Rural atmospheric levels range from 10 to 100 ng/m³, while urban areas commonly experience concentrations within 100–500 ng/m³.
Water Sources
In natural surface waters, zinc concentrations stay below 10 µg/litre, rising to 10–40 µg/litre in groundwaters. However, tap water can exhibit higher levels due to zinc leaching from piping and fittings.
Corrosive waters, characterized by low pH, high carbon dioxide, and low mineral salts, contribute to elevated zinc levels. A Finnish survey revealed tap water concentrations reaching 1.1 mg/litre, while well water exceeded 24 mg/litre.
Food Composition
Zinc-rich foods like meat and marine organisms contain concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 mg/kg wet weight, in contrast to grains, vegetables, and fruits, which typically contain less than 5 mg/kg.
North American adults generally consume 10 to 15 mg/day through mixed diets.
Natural and Human-Induced Routes
Zinc enters the environment through natural processes and human activities like mining, steel production, and coal burning. Mining and industrial activities contribute to elevated atmospheric zinc levels. Waterways receive discharges from metal manufacturing, zinc chemical industries, and zinc-containing waste.
Soil and Water Dynamics
Soil becomes enriched with zinc through waste disposal, sludge, and fertilizer use. While most zinc in soil remains bound and non-dissolvable, groundwater contamination can occur, impacting animal and human health. Fish, through water exposure, accumulate zinc in their bodies.
Occupational Exposure
Occupational settings, such as zinc mining, smelting, welding, and manufacturing, expose individuals to higher zinc levels. Construction workers, mechanics, and painters also face occupational zinc exposure.
Zinc health effects
Inhalation of zinc dust or fumes, common in industrial settings, can lead to metal fume fever, a reversible short-term condition. However, the long-term effects of such exposure remain incomplete.
Adverse Effects of excessive intake
Consuming large amounts of zinc through food, water, or supplements result in stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, anemia, pancreatic damage, and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
Nutritional Deficiency and Toxicity
Insufficient zinc intake can lead to loss of appetite, decreased immune function, slow wound healing, skin sores, poorly developed sex organs, and retarded growth in young individuals.
Impact on Children
Growth and Development
Zinc is vital for children's growth and development. Inadequate zinc levels during pregnancy can lead to birth defects and a lower birth weight. Phytate-rich foods may hinder zinc absorption in children.
Cautionary Measures for Families
Families near waste sites should supervise children to prevent soil ingestion and promote frequent handwashing. Monitoring zinc intake from medicines and supplements is crucial.
Medical tests, measuring zinc levels in blood, feces, urine, and saliva, help assess exposure.
Dissolved zinc impacts water taste and appearance. Concentrations of 30 mg/L may result in a bitter, medicinal taste, while elevated levels can cause milky appearance.
Treatment Methods for Zinc in Drinking Water
1. Treatment for Acidic Water
Exposure to acidic water dissolves zinc, along with iron, lead, and cadmium, from the metal surface
Zinc resulting from acidic water can be eliminated by neutralizing its acidity. This can be achieved through a metering pump, adding small amounts of an alkaline solution (e.g., soda ash and water) or a alkaline water pitcher filter.
The Alkaline Water Pitcher of Life®, featuring the sacred Flower of Life symbol, offers an enhanced design for optimal alkaline water benefits. With advanced filter technology, it efficiently removes contaminants, including zinc and acidic elements, ensuring a pH range of 8.5 to 9.5. For more information: click here https://pitcheroflife.com/
Reverse Osmosis Filter
Using a reverse osmosis filter can drastically reduce water solids.
Life Sciences™ introduces its cutting-edge Reverse Osmosis Alkaline Water Purifying Generator with innovative Tankless Technology. This state-of-the-art system, capable of removing up to 98% of contaminants, includes five specialized filters. The Alkaline Water RO Filter improves hydration and provides 40 health benefits, fortified with calcium, magnesium, and potassium minerals. With a lifetime warranty, this premium-quality system boasts an additional bonus – a Borosilicate Glass Water Pitcher with Infuser, featuring the powerful "Flower of Life" symbol for enhanced alkaline water. This superior water purification is
value priced at $597 and this low price is made possible by the fact that we design and manufacture our own products, thereby
eliminating the middle man.
Bonus Features:
- Borosilicate Glass Water Pitcher with Infuser: This free bonus enhances the convenience of alkaline water on the table or in the fridge. The pitcher comes with a stainless steel infuser, allowing users to create infused herb water, hot or iced coffee, and other flavorful alkaline beverages. Its versatile design is stove-top ready for hot drinks or cold drinks from the fridge. Click here https://pitcheroflife.com/
products/reverse-osmosis- alkaline-water-purifier
Conclusion
Understanding the causes, effects, and effective treatment methods for elevated zinc levels in drinking water is essential for water quality. Understanding and addressing zinc exposure is crucial for environmental and human health.
Stay informed and proactive about zinc-related issues for a healthier water supply.
Elevate your hydration with our alkaline water pitcher, providing health benefits and improved taste. Don't miss out – visit us today! https://pitcheroflife.com/
- Samuelsson, U., Oikarinen, S., Hyöty, H., & Ludvigsson, J. (2011). Low zinc in drinking water is associated with the risk of type 1 diabetes in children. Pediatric diabetes, 12(3 Pt 1), 156–164. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.
1399-5448.2010.00678.x - Xu, P., Huang, S., Wang, Z., & Lagos, G. (2006). Daily intakes of copper, zinc and arsenic in drinking water by population of Shanghai, China. The Science of the total environment, 362(1-3), 50–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
scitotenv.2005.05.022 - Kujinga, P., Galetti, V., Onyango, E., Jakab, V., Buerkli, S., Andang'o, P., Brouwer, I. D., Zimmermann, M. B., & Moretti, D. (2018). Effectiveness of zinc-fortified water on zinc intake, status and morbidity in Kenyan pre-school children: a randomised controlled trial. Public health nutrition, 21(15), 2855–2865. https://doi.org/10.1017/
S1368980018001441 - Ravenscroft, J., Roy, A., Queirolo, E. I., Mañay, N., Martínez, G., Peregalli, F., & Kordas, K. (2018). Drinking water lead, iron and zinc concentrations as predictors of blood lead levels and urinary lead excretion in school children from Montevideo, Uruguay. Chemosphere, 212, 694–704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
chemosphere.2018.07.154