Introduction

Our lives are filled with images and information telling us that pollution has a profound effect on our environment. Our health is no exception and there is an increasing body of work proving that pollution, both in the past and the present, has been affecting our health. When we remove substances from th environment, whether it be food, water or building materials, we are increasing replacing these items with pollutants. Heavy metals have a close relationship with our consumption of the environment and research has shown that they have nasty way or resurfacing, mainly through health consequences.

This blog will explore the pollution of heavy metals, starting with the threat of mercury in our food chain through industry contamination of rivers and the oceans. The ancient world is also famous for its use of mercury and lead, as well as the Bronze and Iron Ages, all of which released considerable amounts of heavy metals which will have contributed to the health of these civilizations. Over the course of the blog I wish to look at the relationship between metal pollution and public health through time.