The statement that zinc is essentially everywhere in our lives is easily proven. This natural element is found in every cell of your body, directly in the earth, in the foods we eat and in many other products we use every day!

Where does zinc come from?
Zinc occurs naturally in the body and is an indispensable nutrient for humans, animals and plants. Zinc that we refine for other uses is mined directly from the earth's natural resources.

Where is zinc mined?
Australia, Canada and China are the world's major producers of zinc. In the United States, zinc is mined primarily in Alaska, Missouri, New York and Tennessee.

How does zinc aid in our well being?
The need for zinc in our bodies is critical because it helps regulate the production of cells in the body's immune system, which protects against infection and some cancers. Zinc acts as a critical ingredient to immune cell function, assisting in cell division and growth.

In many elderly people, immunity decreases, making them more susceptible to disease. Providing adequate zinc and a balanced diet has been shown to help decrease their rate of infectious diseases. There is also evidence that zinc deficiency is implicated in deteriorating vision that comes with aging.

Zinc is also important for pregnant women because it increases birth weight and strengthens baby's immunity.

Zinc is important for healthy skin. As a drying agent and astringent, zinc oxide has been used for generations to soothe diaper rash and relieve itching. Zinc is a natural sunscreen, protecting chapped lips and skin from the sun's harmful rays. Because zinc fights bacteria and is nonallergenic, it is an important ingredient in soaps, shampoos and skin-care products.

When used as an anti-inflammatory, zinc soothes skin and skin tissue. Poison ivy, sunburn, blisters and gum disease are all improved when treated with zinc. It is even a natural insect repellent. Zinc also stimulates the transport of Vitamin A from the liver to the skin, helping to protect body tissue from damage.

Recent studies indicate that if zinc gluconate lozenges are taken at the first sign of a cold, the duration and symptom severity may be reduced by 42%! Zinc is an antiviral agent and astringent and when released into saliva, it reduces cough, nasal drainage and congestion. In addition, zinc soothes a rough, sore throat on contact!

Zinc, which is found in vesicles of the mossy fiber system of the brain's hippocampus, interacts with other chemicals to send messages to the sensory brain center, enhancing memory and thinking skills. Zinc is also crucial for proper learning, and task and behavioral performance in children. Research has shown that zinc deficiency causes poor growth and maturation of the cerebellum and impairs the development of brain cells, which may contribute to learning disorders or emotional and behavior problems.

What are some of the other important products zinc is used for?
The most common use of zinc worldwide is as a coating on iron and steel to protect against corrosion. Corrosion costs more than $200 billion annually. Zinc's physical properties cause it to corrode before the steel does. It protects structures like bridges and transmission towers, as well as road signs, lampposts and guardrails. Zinc-coated steel commonly called galvanized steel, enables today's automakers to offer rust warranty protection for up to 10 years.

Builders are now applying the benefits of galvanized steel studs to home construction. In addition to being cost-competitive with lumber, steel-framed structures are more resistant to hurricanes, earthquakes, termites and fire.

In architecture, pure zinc sheets are used in roofing, countertops and facades for a long life and an elegant, up-to-date look. Zinc sheets have a maintenance free life of over 60 years. Architects like zinc sheets for their natural color and recyclability.

Zinc air batteries are also being tested to power electric vehicles, helping to meet mandated zero-emissions standards. Zinc can store six times as much energy per pound as other battery systems, increasing range of electric vehicles.

The zinc air battery is being used in laptops because it can provide 12 hours of usage on a single charge - almost 10 times the run-time of the original battery.

Zinc is also used in the production of cars, paint, golf clubs, cameras, vending machines, cosmetics and jewelry.

98% of the U.S. penny is made from zinc sheets, with a copper plating.

Zinc oxide is a fortifying mineral in cereals and fertilizers.

Because zinc has a low melting point and is lightweight, it is easily die cast into components for appliances, automobiles and children's toys.

What other attributes make zinc such an appealing mineral to use?
One of zinc's valuable qualities is that it can be recycled over and over again with no loss of its physical or chemical properties, which means it can be recycled forever! In the U.S., recycled zinc accounts for 40% of total consumption. This offers both environmental and economic benefits!

More than 9 million vehicles are recycled annually at North America's 204 automobile shredders. Other items such as appliances, electronic components, children's toys, highway guardrails and signs, and other galvanized parts from razed buildings and bridges are also sent to recycling centers. Zinc will be removed from these products and put back into the marketplace at a current rate of 1.2 million tons annually in the western world.

More About Zinc

• According to the U.S. Bureau of Mines, the average person will use 730 pounds of zinc in his or her lifetime.
• Almost 40 pounds of zinc are found in the typical automobile! 17 pounds of zinc protect it from rust, another 20 pounds are used to make zinc die cast parts like door handles and locks, and each tire contains about 1/2 pound of zinc, which is needed to cure rubber.
• Zinc is the third most used nonferrous metal (after aluminum and copper), of which the U.S. consumes more than one million metric tons annually.
• Because of restrictive or meat-free diets, many teenage girls have low zinc levels. A University of Kentucky study found that 38% of pregnant teens had a below-normal range of zinc, potentially having a profound effect on birth complications and the unborn child.

Excerpts taken from Mining Voice Magazine, Sep/Oct 1999 and American Zinc Assn. website.