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Metal toxicity or metal poisoning is the toxic effect of certain metals in certain forms and doses on life. Some metals are toxic when they form poisonous soluble compounds. Certain metals have no biological role, i.e. are not essential minerals, or are toxic when in a certain form. [ 1 ]
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 .
Serious toxicity problems have resulted from long-term exposure to cadmium plating baths. Workers can be exposed to cadmium in air from the smelting and refining of metals, or from the air in plants that make cadmium products such as batteries, coatings, or plastics. Workers can also be exposed when soldering or welding metal that contains cadmium.
Copper toxicity (or Copperiedus) is a type of metal poisoning caused by an excess of copper in the body. Copperiedus could occur from consuming excess copper salts, but most commonly it is the result of the genetic condition Wilson's disease and Menke's disease , which are associated with mismanaged transport and storage of copper ions.
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.
A deficiency of any of these period 4–6 essential heavy metals may increase susceptibility to heavy metal poisoning [50] (conversely, an excess may also have adverse biological effects).
Deaths by heavy metal poisoning (1 C, 3 P) L. Lead poisoning (2 C, 18 P) M. Mercury poisoning (1 C, 17 P) T. Thallium poisoning (8 P) Pages in category "Toxic effects ...
Cobalt poisoning is intoxication caused by excessive levels of cobalt in the body. Cobalt is an essential element for health in animals in minute amounts as a component of vitamin B 12 . A deficiency of cobalt, which is very rare, is also potentially lethal, leading to pernicious anemia .