metal poisoning
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MetalsMetals
Toxic metals are metals that form poisonous soluble compounds and have no biological role, or are in the wrong form[
Toxic metals comprise a group of minerals that have no known function in the body and, in fact, are harmful.
Today mankind is exposed to the highest levels of these metals in recorded history.
This is due to their industrial use, the unrestricted burning of coal, natural gas and petroleum, and incineration of waste materials worldwide.
Toxic metals are now everywhere and affect everyone on planet earth. They have become a major cause of illness, aging and even genetic defects.
toxic metals sometimes imitate the action of an essential element in the body, interfering with the metabolic process to cause illness.
Toxicity is a function of solubility. Insoluble compounds as well as the metallic forms often exhibit negligible toxicity. In some cases, organometallic forms, such as dimethyl mercury and tetraethyl lead, can be extremely toxic.
Decontamination for toxic metals is different from organic toxins: because toxic metals are elements, they cannot be destroyed. Toxic metals may be made insoluble or collected, possibly by the aid of chelating agents.
Minerals are the building blocks of our bodies. They are required for body structure, fluid balance,
protein structures and to produce hormones. They act as co-factors, catalysts or inhibitors of all
enzymes in the body. Copper and iron, for example, along with other
minerals are required for the electron transport system, and thus needed for all cellular energy production.
Minerals are classified into four groups: The macrominerals, or those needed in large
quantity, ◦calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium,
phosphorus, sulfur, iron, copper and zinc.Required trace minerals
◦manganese, chromium, selenium, boron, bromine, silicon, iodine, vanadium, lithium, molybdenum, cobalt, germanium
Possibly required trace minerals ◦fluorine, arsenic, rubidium, tin, niobium,
strontium, gold, silver and nickel.Toxic metals
◦beryllium, mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum, antimony, bismuth, barium, uranium and others.
Minerals needed in lesser quantities are usually toxic in greater amounts. ◦Examples are copper, iron, manganese,
selenium and vanadium. Even calcium and sodium are quite toxic
in excess.
Today mankind is exposed to the highest levels in recorded history of lead, mercury, arsenic, aluminum, copper, nickel, tin, antimony, bromine, bismuth and vanadium.
Dr. Henry Schroeder, MD◦“Most organic substances are degradable by
natural processes. However, no metal is degradable…they are here to stay for a long time”.
Distinguishing Physical Distinguishing Physical CharacteristicsCharacteristics
1. Ability to conduct electricity◦ Diminishes with increasing temperature
2. Excellent conductivity of heat3. High reflectivity of light from a polished
surface commonly known as metallic luster
4. Malleable ◦ Deform rather than shatter on impact or
under pressure
Cont…Cont…
5. Metal oxides reacts with water forming basic solutions – basic anhydrides or basic oxides
6. Metals combine with non-metal to form ionic compounds ◦Metals can be fused with other metals to form
new metallic compounds called ALLOYS hard, tough, resistance to corrosion and with mechanical strength
ARSENICARSENIC
ARSENICARSENIC
Widely distributed in soilUsed as weed killers, wood preservatives,
pesticides, rodenticides and hardening agents
Exposure may be during production of pigments, glass and silicon chips and smelting of copper ores.
Mechanism of ToxicityMechanism of Toxicity
Irritants: skin, mucous membranes, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract
Once absorbed, arsenic disrupts cellular metabolism by binding to sulfhydryl groups on variety of enzyme
B. Known CARCINOGENB. Known CARCINOGEN
A. Arsenic compounds may be organic or inorganic
Pentavalent (arsenate)◦ Ubiquitous in nature, rapidly excreted by the
kidneys Trivalent (arsenite)
◦ Absorbed more readily and are found in concentration in the leukocytes
◦ Crosses the placenta but not the blood brain barrier
◦ Highly toxic
ToxicityToxicity
5 – 10% is excreted in the feces90% is excreted in the urineLethal dose is 120 to 200mg (very toxic)
Clinical PresentationClinical Presentation
1. Acute exposure◦ Symptoms occur rapidly after ingestion
(throat and abdominal pain)◦ Vomiting and profuse diarrhea: profound
fluid and electrolyte loss may cause death within 24 hours
◦ Delirium and coma have been reported◦ Survivors may develop peripheral sensory
neuropathy, exfoliative dermatitis and hair loss
Cont…Cont…
2. Chronic exposureIrritation of the skin and mucous membrane
and respiratory tract with occasionally perforation of the nasal septum
Systemic effects: weakness, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hepatitis, peripheral sensory neuropathy and alopecia
Skin hyperpigmentation and transverse white lines on the nails (MEES LINES)
Associated to lung and skin cancers
TreatmentTreatment
BAL or Dimercaprol is administer 3-5mg//Kg intramuscularly every 4 to 6 hours
Oral chelation therapy may be given with penicillamine after patient has been stabilized
Decontamination by ◦inducing emesis or performing gastric lavage◦Administration of activated charcoal
MERCURYMERCURY
MERCURYMERCURY
Several forms:Metallic (elemental) mercury
Extraction of gold and silver from oreDental amalgams Technical equipments
Mercury salts Antiseptics and stool preservativesDiuretics
Organic mercuryFungicides and anticepticsMethyl mercury may accumulate in sea waters after
environmental contamination
Mechanism of toxicityMechanism of toxicity
Mercury reacts with sulfhydryl groups – binding to proteins and causes to inactivate enzymes
Metallic mercury vapor is well absorbed by the CNS ◦Irritates the lungs
Inorganic mercuric salts are highly corrosives to the skin, eyes and GIT ◦Nephrotoxic
Organomercurial compounds are toxic to the CNS and methyl mercury is teratogenic
Toxic doseToxic dose
Acute toxicity depends largely on the form and route of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or percutaneous)
Chronic exposureChronic exposure
Metallic mercury vapor
◦PEL is 0.05 mg/cu.m as an 8 hour time weighed average
◦IDLH is 28 mg/cu.m Crosses the blood brain barrier BBB and
placentaHalf-life is 60 days
Cont…Cont…
Inorganic mercuric salts◦LD of mercuric chloride is 1mg◦Accumulates primarily in the kidneys◦Distributed in the liver, red blood cells, bone
marrow, spleen, lungs, intestines and skinHalf-life is 40 days
Cont…Cont…
Organic mercury compounds◦Highly lipid soluble and freely passes through
the placenta and blood brain barrier and enters the breast milk
Half-life is 70 daysMinamata Disease – Japan where there is
methylation of mercury salt waste
Clinical PresentationClinical Presentation
Acute inhalation of high concentration of metallic mercury vapor may cause severe chemical pneumonias and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema
Acute ingestion of inorganic mercuric salts causes vomiting, diarrhea (often bloody) and shock◦Renal failure occurs within 24 hours
(proteinuria and hematuria ◦Hepatitis may occur
Cont…Cont…
Chronic inorganic mercury poisoning (vapor)◦Causes permanent CNS toxicity, including
irritability, memory loss, shyness, depression, insomnia and tremor (erythism)
◦Gingivitis, stomatitis and salivation are common
Cont…Cont…
Acute organic mercury poisoningCauses parethesias, ataxia, visual and
hearing disturbances
DiagnosisDiagnosis
CBC, electrolytes, glucose, BUN, creatinine, liver function tests and urinalysis
Specific levelsNormal whole blood mercury is usually
below 10 ug/dL and normal urine level is below 50ug/dL
TreatmentTreatment
Supportive measures◦Vapor – oxygen◦Ingestion – IV fluid replacement and
hemodialysis for 1 to 2 weeks◦Monitoring of patient
DrugsDimercaprol 3-5 mg/Kg IM every 6 hoursOral penicillamine
ANTIMONYANTIMONY
Widely used as hardening agent in soft metal alloys
Coloring agents in dyes, varnishes, paints and glasses
Organic antimony compounds are used as antiparasitic drugs
Stibine (antimony hydride)Stibine (antimony hydride)
Colorless gas; rotten egg odor Formed when antimony is contacted with
acids
Mechanism of toxicityMechanism of toxicity
Antimony Binds with sulfhydryl groups and causes
inactivation of enzymesStibineHemolysis and irritates the URT
Clinical PresentationClinical Presentation
Acute ingestion◦Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (often bloody)◦Hepatitis and renal insufficiency occur
Acute stibine inhalation◦Acute hemolysis anemia and jaundice,
hemoglobinuria and renal failureChronic exposure to dust and fumes
◦Headache, anorexia and dermatitis (antimony spots)
TreatmentTreatment
Antimony ◦IV fluid replacement
Stibine ◦May require blood transfusion
Drugs◦BAL and penicillamine
BISMUTHBISMUTH
Hard brittle, lustrous pinkish silver-white metal which is usually covered with a film of bismuth oxide
Good conductor of electricity but a poor conductor of heat
Trioxides are present in areas as an impurity in manufacturing lead and copper
Industrial usesIndustrial uses
Anti-syphilitic drugs and a component in cosmetic powders
Added in aluminum alloys, steels and other alloys
Toxicity Toxicity
Foul breathBlack line ate the alveolar marginsBlack spots seen in the mouth and throatStomatitisChronic: malaise, albuminuria, diarrhea
and dermatitishepatitis
LEADLEAD
Found in all animalsBatteriesPaints Pots and ceramicsLeaded gasoline
Under steady conditions 95% of lead is found in the red blood cells
In adults, 90% are stored in the bonesHalf-life is 24 to 40 days
Mechanism of toxicityMechanism of toxicity
Lead displaces other metals such as iron, zinc and copper from normal binding sites to produce some of its biochemical effect
Binds to sulfhydryl groups and disrupt cellular metabolism
Primary organs affected are CNS and kidneys and the reproductive and hematopoietic system
THALLIUMTHALLIUM
Soft metal that quickly oxidizes upon exposure to air
Used in optical lenses, photoelectric cells Also used as rodenticides
Mechanism of toxicityMechanism of toxicity
Affects the mitochondria and a variety of enzymes resulting to cellular toxicity
Inhibit potassium flux across the membrane
Toxic dose is 12-15mg/KgMore soluble (thallous acetate and thallic
chloride) slightly more toxic than insoluble thallium (Thallic oxide and thallous iodide)
Clinical PresentationClinical Presentation
Acute: abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea shock
Chronic: muscle weakness and atrophy; hair loss and nail dystrophy (MEES lines) may appear in 2 to 4 weeks
Chelating agentsChelating agents
Dimercaprol (BAL) ◦Diffuses into the erythrocytes and enhances
fecal and urinary excretionEDETATE (EDTA)
◦Administered through IV or IMSUCCIMER (dimercapto-succinic acid)
◦Water soluble orally administeredPENICILLAMINE
◦Only commercially available oral chelating agent
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