Nickel
Nickel: What is it?
Nickel is a corrosion resistant Metallic chemical element easily absorbed by organic matter. This is why it is found in considerable amounts in coal and oil. Like manganese, nickel is essential in small amounts and occurs naturally in low levels in the environment. However, excess nickel is released into the atmosphere via power plants and trash incinerators, and it then settles to the ground contaminating soil and surface water. Naturally occurring nickel is also exposed due to acid mine drainage, a result of human mining practices.
Effects: Health
The health effects of over-exposure to nickel are staggering. Lung embolism, respiratory failure, birth defects, asthma and chronic bronchitis, allergic reactions, skin rashes, and heart disorders are just some of the consequences of nickel poisoning. People exposed to such also have a higher risk of developing lung cancer, nose cancer, larynx cancer and prostate cancer. Nickel has also been listed by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) as being a probable carcinogen.
Effects: Environment
The majority of nickel compounds absorbed by sediment and soil become immobile and thus may seem of little threat. However, in acidic ground (where acid mine drainage occurs, for example) it becomes mobile once again and is then rinsed out into the groundwater. High nickel concentrations damage plants, diminish the growth rate of algae, and can cause a decline in the growth of microorganisms. Like in humans, it increases the chances of various types of cancer in animals that are over-exposed.
The Solution
Eden Initiative has the technology, ability, and desire to eliminate nickel from our environment. Our mission is to clean nickel from abandoned mining sites within North America, and eventually, all over the world. By removing the toxin from such sites, we stop it from leeching into our watersheds and oceans, contaminating our marine life, and ultimately us.