Heavy metal ions, toxic elimination

Check the Toxic Release Inventory (or a comparable compilation) for releases of heavy metal ions in your area. Suggest alternative chemistry that could eliminate the releases. 

Surface-active substances alter the properties of soil minerals (e.g., layer silicates) by adsorption and hydrophobization of the surface. Even slight quantities of surfactants cause significant effects with respect to the transport and biological availability of pollutants in soils and sediments [16]. This may result in the accumulation of pollutants in the trophic stages of the food chain and the elimination of essential trace elements. Cationic surfactants, for example, cause a drastic alteration in the electrolyte equilibrium between the soil and soil solution due to ion exchange. Both essential cations (Ca, Mg, Na ) as well as toxic heavy metal ions (e.g., Cd ) are quantitatively displaced [11]. 

Some TCA masks have been presented as chelated TCA. Chelation is a medical therapy that aims to detoxify the body of harmful minerals and metals. Chemically, chelation is the process by which an organic substance (the chelator) binds metal ions (iron, copper, lead, calcium, etc.) into inactive, non-toxic and water-soluble complexes that are easily eliminated in the urine. Intravenous chelation therapy (e.g. with ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid, EDTA) is often used to treat poisoning with heavy metals, including lead. The use of the term chelation therefore seems inappropriate as far as TCA is concerned, and has no chemical basis since TCA is not a metal. The little information available states that chelation reduces the speed of penetration of TCA and therefore its depth of action. Might what we call chelation be partial inactivation of the TCA The directions of use for Accu Peel state that a process called chelation allows the TCA to reach an even depth at the same time as using lower concentrations of TCA . Might chelation, on the contrary, be a process that activates the TCA But how can TCA be activated ... 

This compound can be used as a substitute for detergent phosphates to hind to calcium ion and make the detergent solution basic. NTA is used in metal plating formulations. It is highly water-soluble and quickly eliminated with urine when ingested. It has a low acute toxicity, and no chronic effects have been shown for plausible doses. However, concern does exist over its interaction with heavy metals in waste-treatment processes and in the environment... 

The metal hydride-nickel cell, MH c/KOH/NiOOH, also makes use of the NiOOH cathode it replaces the Cd anode with a metal hydride, MH insertion alloy having its Fermi energy like that of Cd, well-matched to the LUMO of the aqueous KOH electrolyte. However, the H -ion diffusivity in the hydride is slower than that in the gelatinous Cd(OH)2, so it has a poorer rate capability at lower temperatures. On the other hand, it eliminates the heavy, toxic Cd to give a higher energy density (Wh/kg) and provides a safe power source for electric vehicles. However, a Zn/KOH/NiOOH cell of good cycle life may prove competitive. 

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