What Is Heavy Metal Poisoning?

Heavy metal poisoning refers to poisoning caused by heavy metal elements or their compounds with a relative atomic mass greater than 65, such as mercury poisoning and lead poisoning. Because heavy metals can cause irreversible changes in the structure of proteins, thereby affecting tissue and cell functions, and thus affecting human health, for example, enzymes in the body cannot catalyze chemical reactions, and carriers on the surface of cell membranes cannot transport nutrients, excrete metabolic waste, and muscles. Globulin and actin cannot complete muscle contraction, so the cells in the body cannot obtain nutrients, eliminate waste, fail to generate energy, cell structure collapse and loss of function.

Drinking pure milk can save heavy metal poisoning?

When heavy metal ions are combined with enzymes or proteins in the human body, they can cause toxic reactions. Therefore, once heavy metal poisoning, drink pure milk containing a large amount of protein to bind heavy metal ions, so that it can be combined with the functional proteins of the human body as little as possible. However, it should be noted that milk is only effective for mild heavy metal poisoning. For example, eating cadmium rice every day (without knowing it) and drinking pure milk every day is just for detoxification. If the poisoning is too deep, rush to the hospital.

The general mechanism of heavy metal poisoning is more

When heavy metals enter the human body, they will combine with certain enzymes in the human body, affecting the normal physiological activities of the human body. For example, heavy metal mercury can bind to sulfhydryl (hydrosulfide) groups in proteins and enzyme systems, which is the side chain of cysteine in proteins.

A famous detox storyMore

According to legend, during World War II, the Germans attacked Britain with a heavy metal poisonous gas, and British scientists developed a detoxification product called dithiopropanol (BAL). There are two active thiol groups in the molecule of BAL, which have great affinity with metals, can capture heavy metals that have been combined with the enzyme system in the tissue, form non-toxic compounds that are not easily broken down, and are excreted from the urine, so it has a detoxifying effect.

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Basic Information

English name

heavymetalpoisoning

Visiting department

Emergency Department

Common causes

contact

Classification of heavy metal poisoning

Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead, zinc, etc.

Causes of heavy metal poisoning

Mostly related to contact.

Arsenic

Relevant industries such as pesticide manufacturing and spraying, arsenic manufacturing and production, and electronic semiconductor manufacturing, arsenic hydride (AsH3) is prone to occur in the computer industry and metal industry, and the arsenic of Chinese medicine.

2. Cadmium

Cadmium manufacturing, lead and zinc melting and casting, electroplating, plastic stabilizer manufacturing, cadmium nickel battery manufacturing, welding of cadmium plating alloy manufacturing, color materials, electronics manufacturing, gem manufacturing

3.chrome

Electroplating industry, metal industry, color TV image tube manufacturing, copper engraving, glass industry, petroleum purification, photography industry, cement use, stainless steel, textile industry (color material), welding industry.

4.copper

Asphalt manufacturer, battery manufacturer, copper refining industry, gem dyeing industry, pigment industry and paint industry, preservatives, pyrotechnics, wallpaper manufacturing industry, water treatment, welding industry, power industry, alloy industry, electroplating industry, snail killing algae Pharmaceuticals, paints, etc.

5. Mercury

Elemental mercury: dentistry, battery industry, pressure gauge and calibration instrument manufacturing, chlor-alkali industry, ceramic industry, ultrasonic amplifier, red line detector, electroplating industry, electrical products, fingerprint detector, gold and silver extraction, jewelry industry , Mercury lamp and fluorescent lamp industry, paint, pulp manufacturing, thermometer, semiconductor light energy cell manufacturing. Inorganic mercury: Chinese medicine, disinfectants, dyes and paints, fur treatment, ink manufacturing, chemical laboratories, vinyl chloride manufacturing, mercury vapor lamps, silver powder in mirrors, photography, perfumery and cosmetics. Organic mercury: fungicides, paper industry, pesticide manufacturing, etc.

6.Manganese

It mainly comes from the dust generated in the steel manufacturing, welding, mining and refining processes. In addition, organic manganese is also used as a substitute for organic lead, as a fuel anti-vibration agent.

7. Nickel

Nickel refining industry, nickel alloy industry, electroplating industry, welding industry, nickel-cadmium battery industry, coin industry, jewelry industry, ceramic industry, dye industry.

8. Lead

Electrical and electronics industry, manufacture and use of plastic stabilizers, battery manufacturing, welding and cutting, rubber industry, plastic industry, paint industry, cooler repair, lead welding items, lead paints, zinc and Copper refining, pigment and paint manufacturing, etc.

9. Zinc

Alloy manufacturing, pottery industry, chemical synthesis, deodorant manufacturing, disinfectant manufacturing, battery manufacturing, dye manufacturing, electroplating, electronics workers, galvanizing, papermaking, paint and coloring, manufacturing, rubber , Stripping industry, welding industry, etc.

Clinical manifestations of heavy metal poisoning

Arsenic

(1) Acute poisoning In the acute phase of ingestion poisoning , there will be nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody stool, shock, hypotension, hemolysis, garlic, and metallic taste, hepatitis, jaundice, acute renal failure, coma, and convulsions. In the subacute phase, peripheral neuritis and Mee'sline appear on the nails. cough, dyspnea, chest pain, pulmonary edema, acute respiratory failure due to inhalation poisoning . Hydrogen arsenic poisoning occurs at 2 to 4 hours after high concentration exposure, causing a large amount of hemolysis, with typical symptoms of abdominal pain, hematuria, and jaundice, and acute renal failure is not uncommon.

(2) Chronic poisoning skin keratinization and skin cancer. Nerve central and peripheral neuropathy. blood anemia, leukemia. Other peripheral vascular diseases, limb necrosis (black foot disease) and abnormal liver function.

2. Cadmium

(1) Acute poisoning ingestion-nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, liver and kidney necrosis, and heart enlargement. Inhalation-cadmium oxide causes severe metal fume fever, and chest pain, headache, cough, dyspnea, fever, pulmonary edema, and kidney and liver necrosis occur 12 to 24 hours after exposure.

(2) Chronic poisoning ingestion-nephropathy includes low molecular weight proteinuria, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Inhalation-pulmonary fibrosis and nephropathy.

3.chrome

(1) Hexavalent chromium is highly toxic and corrosive. Skin: contact dermatitis, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (lethal 1 to 2 grams will be fatal), kidney: acute renal failure (ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption), lung: pulmonary edema will occur after 72 hours (large inhalation) .

(2) Trivalent chromium is an essential element of the body, necessary for glucose metabolism, and difficult for gastrointestinal absorption (<1%).

(3) Long-term hexavalent chromium exposure to chronic poisoning may cause cancer, especially lung cancer. Respiratory system: asthma and pneumoconiosis.

4.copper

(1) Most of the acute poisoning is caused by ingestion of copper sulfate or food and fruit juice contaminated by copper utensils.

Ingestion of a large amount of copper can cause severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting blood, and hematuria. In severe cases, there may be complications such as hepatitis, hypotension, coma, hemolysis, acute renal failure, and convulsions. Even death can happen.

(2) Chronic poisoning Because copper is an essential element of the human body, it is quickly excreted through urine and bile after absorption. There are few reports of chronic copper poisoning in the medical literature. However, some people think that chronic exposure to excessive copper or long-term use of copper utensils may cause chronic liver disease. Long-term inhalation of copper dust and fume can cause perforation of nasal ridges, granulomas of the lungs, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer. Wilson disease: is a disease of congenital abnormal copper metabolism. Copper can accumulate on the nucleus, viscera and cornea of the brain, causing health damage. Over a long period of time, permanent brain lesions and liver cirrhosis will gradually appear after puberty.

5. Mercury

(1) Acute poisoning (mainly caused by inhalation of human mercury vapor) Acute bronchitis, pneumonia, stomatitis, enteritis, fever, confusion, and difficulty breathing, generally without symptoms, unless there is a considerable amount.

(2) Chronic poisoning mainly affects the central nervous system, insomnia, shyness, memory decline, emotional instability, nervousness, and loss of appetite.

(3) Other visual impairments, opaque crystals, etc.

6.Manganese

(1) Acute poisoning of manganese oxide dust may produce so-called metal fume fever or chemical pneumonia. Manganese oxide is often produced by welding or cutting manganese-containing substances. Chilling, fever, nausea, and cough can occur.

(2) Chronic poisoning is mainly caused by neurological and mental abnormalities. It is divided into three stages: Early stage-cognitive impairment and emotional distress, including loss of appetite, myalgia, nervousness, restlessness, inability to control violence, insomnia, sexual desire reduce. Mid-term-Uncontrollable crying, speech disorders, visual hallucinations, awkward movements, and unconsciousness. Late stage-difficulty walking, stiffness, unable to speak, shaking, similar to Parkinson's disease.

7. Nickel

(1) Acute poisoning It is usually caused by inhalation of organic nickel. The symptoms of poisoning are similar to carbon monoxide poisoning, but it is accompanied by an increase in blood glucose and urine glucose. Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, insomnia, and restlessness often last for several hours. This can lead to chest tightness like pneumonia, difficulty breathing, cough, palpitations, sweating, weakness, and blurred vision. Bivalent inorganic nickel poisoning: It is caused by drinking nickel-contaminated drinking water or dialysis water by contamination. Its symptoms are nausea, vomiting, headache, palpitations, weakness, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and cough.

(2) Chronic poisoning may cause allergic dermatitis in long-term skin contact. In addition, chronic respiratory diseases, immune dysfunction and cancer can occur. Commonly engaged in electroplating.

8. Lead

(1) Acute poisoning (adults) Mild to moderate poisoning fatigue, restlessness, paresthesia, myalgia, abdominal pain, shaking, headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, weight loss, and decreased libido. Severely poisoned motor neuropathy, brain lesions, convulsions, coma, severe abdominal cramps, and acute renal failure.

(2) Chronic poisoning Central neuroencephalopathy , mental retardation, and abnormal neurobehavior affect children's development, development, and IQ. The peripheral nerve motor nerve conduction velocity becomes slower. blood anemia, hemolysis, etc. Kidney hypertension, gout and chronic renal failure. Others interfere with vitamin D metabolism, reduce sperm motility and number, carcinogenicity, etc.

9. Zinc

(1) Acute poisoning Ingestive nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody stools, fever, and often recover spontaneously. Inhalation of zinc chloride smoke particles can cause cough and dyspnea. In severe cases, it can become respiratory distress, acute renal failure, and even death. contact skin contact with zinc compounds can cause dermatitis. Metal fume occurs after inhaling the dust and smoke of zinc oxide for 4 hours. It has metallic smell, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, myalgia, fever, sweating, chemical pneumonia, pulmonary edema, etc.

(2) Chronic poisoning. Long-term exposure to large amounts of zinc can cause chronic zinc poisoning. For example, long-term eating of male animal genitals and taking a large amount of zinc pills can cause a significant decrease in blood copper concentration, anemia, impaired immunity, weight loss and other symptoms.

Heavy metal poisoning treatment

Arsenic

Acute poisoning-supportive treatment and antidote such as D-penicillamine, BAL, DMSA, DMPS. DMSA can improve the symptoms of chronic poisoning.

2. Cadmium

Acute poisoning, EDTA and supportive therapy; chronic poisoning, supportive and symptomatic therapy.

3.chrome

Acute intoxication can be treated with vomiting and gastric lavage, activated carbon, and diuretics, vitamin C, and N-acetylcysteine. Renal failure can be combined with hemodialysis.

4.copper

Acute poisoning is mainly supportive and symptomatic treatment. Pay attention to maintaining airway patency and stable blood pressure. EDTA and BAL, D-Penicillamine treatment. Chronic poisoning with zinc tablets and D-Penicillamine treatment can be used to promote copper excretion.

5. Mercury

Inorganic mercury and mercury element poisoning, D-penicillamine, BAL, DMPS, DMSA are effective.

6.Manganese

Acute poisoning is dominated by supportive therapy. For chronic poisoning, anti-Parkinson's drugs can be considered.

7. Nickel

In the first 8 hours, nickel in the urine greater than 100 ug / L was treated with dithiocarb (DDC) or disulfiram (Antabuse). Divalent nickel poisoning is a supportive therapy. Chronic poisoning is only symptomatic.

8. Lead

Blood lead is greater than 100ug / dl, and EDTA + BAL is used to prevent the worsening of brain lesions. If it is less than 100ug / dL and has clinical symptoms, use DMSA or EDTA to avoid continued exposure to be effective treatment.

9. Zinc

Acute poisoning mainly supports and symptomatic treatment. EDTA and BAL, D-penicillamine, N-acetylcysteine can be used to promote zinc excretion.