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Many metals, particularly heavy metals are toxic, but some are essential, and some, such as bismuth, have a low toxicity. Metals in an oxidation state abnormal to the body may also become toxic: chromium(III) is an essential trace element, but chromium(VI) is a carcinogen. Only soluble metal-containing compounds are toxic.
The toxic effects of arsenic, mercury and lead were known to the ancients but methodical studies of the overall toxicity of heavy metals appear to date from only 1868. In that year, Wanklyn and Chapman speculated on the adverse effects of the heavy metals "arsenic, lead, copper, zinc, iron and manganese" in drinking water. They noted an ...
[2] [3] Heavy metal poisoning, such as from mercury, cadmium, or lead, is particularly pernicious. Examples of specific types of toxic metals include: Copper: copper toxicity usually presents itself as a side effect of low levels of the protein ceruloplasmin, which normally is involved in copper storage.
While heavy metals can be naturally excreted by the body through sweat and urine, if they are consumed in high amounts they can accumulate in the body and damage major organs.
Lead poisoning, also known as plumbism and saturnism, is a type of metal poisoning caused by lead in the body. [2] Symptoms may include abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, irritability, memory problems, infertility, and tingling in the hands and feet. [1]
An average 70 kg human body is about 0.01% heavy metals (~7 g, equivalent to the weight of two dried peas, with iron at 4 g, zinc at 2.5 g, and lead at 0.12 g comprising the three main constituents), 2% light metals (~1.4 kg, the weight of a bottle of wine) and nearly 98% nonmetals (mostly water). [51] [n 8]
This category reflects the organization of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision. Generally, diseases outlined within the ICD-10 codes T56 within Chapter XIX: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes should be included in this category.
The oligodynamic effect (from Greek oligos, "few", and dynamis, "force") is a biocidal effect of metals, especially heavy metals, that occurs even in low concentrations. This effect is attributed to the antibacterial behavior of metal ions, which are absorbed by bacteria upon contact and damage their cell membranes .