Carbon C

Atomic Number: 6
Atomic Weight: 12.01

Human Physiology:

• Key element of life; present in all organic and to a lesser extent inorganic compounds
• Only element capable of forming long chains and rings that are the structural framework for living cells, e.g. DNA

Prevalence:

• Present everywhere in the earth's biosphere: dissolved in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO₂), present in fossil fuels as hydrocarbons, found as graphite (one of the softest know metals) and as diamonds (the hardest naturally occurring substances)

Source:

• Present in most of our food supply
• From increased fossil fuel burning globally

Toxicity:

• Some carbon compounds are highly toxic, e.g. carbon monoxide gas (CO), cyanide
• Carbon black exposure can lead to lung and heart damage