Skip to main content

The Acute and Chronic Effects of Heavy Metal Poisoning

  • Chapter
Poisoning Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

The effects of ingestion of a metallic compound are more often seen in the general or domestic environment, whilst the effects of absorption by inhalation are usually seen in an occupational setting. The accidental, suicidal or homicidal ingestion of a toxic metal compound gives rise to acute syndromes, usually affecting the gastrointestinal tract in the first instance, but which may secondarily involve the renal, cardiovascular, nervous or haemopoietic systems. Long-term, low-level exposure by ingestion may result from the contamination of food or drink by metals which have cumulative properties in the body.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Kazantzis G. Renal tubular dysfunction and abnormalities of calcium metabolism in cadmium workers. Environ Health Perspect 1979; 28: 155–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levine WG. Heavy metal antagonists. In: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th edition: Goodman LS, Gilman A. Eds. New York: Macmillan, 1975; 912–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAlpine D, Araki S. Minamata disease — an unusual neurological disorder caused by contaminated fish. Lancet 1958; ii:629–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Further Reading

  • Bair WJ, Thompson RC. Plutonium: biomedical research. Science 1974: 183: 715–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cavanagh JB, Fuller NH, Johnson HRM, Rudge P. The effects of thallium salts with particular reference to the nervous system changes. Q J Med 1974; 43: 293–319.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friberg L, Nordberg GF, Vouk VB, Eds. Handbook on the Toxicology of Metals. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goyer RA, Mehlman MA. Toxicology of Trace Elements. London: John Wiley & Sons, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter D. The Diseases of Occupations. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1978, 6th edition.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1981 Update Books Ltd

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kazantzis, G. (1981). The Acute and Chronic Effects of Heavy Metal Poisoning. In: Vale, J.A., Meredith, T.J. (eds) Poisoning Diagnosis and Treatment. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6763-5_26

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6763-5_26

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-906141-82-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-6763-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics