Tungsten and Antimony Are Linked to Depression
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/7/2026
Two metals most people have never heard of, tungsten and antimony, are quietly raising your risk of depression.
Metals You Didn't Know Were a Problem
A 2026 study in Eur J Med Res analyzed 8,814 adults from NHANES (2003-2020). Among 731 people with depression, the researchers measured multiple metals in blood and urine.
Urinary tungsten increased depression risk by 42% (OR 1.42). Urinary antimony raised it by 34% (OR 1.34). In mixture analysis, tungsten alone drove 29.3% of the total positive metal-depression effect.
Complex Relationships
Cadmium showed a nonlinear relationship with depression. Cobalt and lead also had nonlinear dose-response curves. The relationships aren't simple: some metals cause more damage at certain levels than others.
Where Tungsten and Antimony Come From
Tungsten is in electronics, lighting, ammunition, and some industrial processes. It enters water and soil near military sites and manufacturing facilities. Antimony shows up in flame retardants, batteries, plastics, and some textiles.
Most people don't track these exposures because they don't make headlines like lead or mercury.
What You Can Do
Filter your water. Choose flame-retardant-free furniture and textiles. If you live near industrial or military sites, test your water and soil. And reduce overall chemical exposure with non-toxic home essentials.
Also see non-toxic kitchen essentials for safer alternatives.