Calcium is a soft-gray alkaline earth metal which is also known as the fifth-most abundant element by mass in the earths crust behind oxygen, silicon, aluminum, and iron. Calcium is also the most abundant metal by mass in many animals as it is responsible for growth in bones, teeth and shells. Calcium is often used in alloys and extraction of metals because it is soft enough that it can be cut with knife. This allows other metals to react with calcium which eventually softens the metals making them easier to extract. It is also used in cement mixing because heating Calcium Carbonate reacts in a volatile state when mixed with water creating cement. Calcium is also used as soil conditioner, water treatment to reduce acidity and in the chemicals industry. Calcium has little effect on the environment except when Calcium Phosphide is created, this can be toxic to aquatic life when fish and other aquatic animals breath the substance in through their gills. Calcium Phosphide is so volatile that it can cause explosions in air. If humans consume more than 2-5g per day this can cause kidney stones and sclerosis. Not consuming enough calcium can lead Osteoporosis which causes bones to become extremely porous and subject to fracturing easily. Calcium is a mineral found in the crust of the earth but it is also naturally occurring when humans and other animals produce milk. When Calcium enters the body it builds up in the bones and teeth. Calcium is constantly breaking itself down which makes for the need to consume milk and certain kinds of vegetables and nuts to replace the broken down calcium particles. Calcium is usually measured in mg’s as evident on nutrition facts labelled on food products.
