Heavy Metals
Introduction
Heavy metal are naturally occurring elements that have a
high atomic weight and density. Heavy metal like arsenic , lead ,mercury, iron, zinc etc. are
all around us. They are in the ground we walk, in water we drink and in the
product we use everyday.
Heavy Metals Poisoning
Poisoning is condition caused by introduction to harmful
substance or chemical into the body either by injection, inhalation and
ingestion. Consume excess amount of heavy metal can cause heavy metal
poisoning. Not all of these metal are bad for health , we need small amount of
them to keep body healthy.
Risk factor
ü If
we eat or drink something trained with heavy metals.
ü if we breath in contaminated dust or fumes.
ü Work in
Factory that uses heavy metal.
ü Eat fish caught in area with heavy metals in
them.
ü Use
herbal medicines that have heavy metals
in them.
ü Breath
in old lead paint dust when you fix up your home.
Types of heavy metal poisoning
v Acute
poisoning
v Chronic
poisoning
Acute poisoning
This happens if you get a high dose at one time, like in a
chemical accident in a factory or after child swallows a toy made with lead.
General symptoms of acute poisoning
™ Diarrohea
™ Nausea
™ Abdominal
pain
™ Vomiting
™ Shortness
of breath
™ weakness
Chronic poisoning
This happens after contact with a low dose over a long time.
As the metal builds up in your body, you can get sick.
Symptoms of chronic poisoning
Ø Headache
Ø weakness
& tiredness
Ø Pain
joints and muscles.
Ø Constipation
Specific Heavy metal Poisoning
Mercury poisoning
Mercury salts are very toxic to human being, if swallowed
out of all salts. Mercury salts which are volatile and potential hazards.
Mercury in vapours state are very toxic of mercury vapour inhaled. It goes
through blood system, digestive system, lungs and then to brain.
symptoms
Ø Muscles
weakness
Ø Hearing
and speech difficulties
Ø Vision
changed trouble walking
Arsenic poisoning
Arsenic poisoning has been called the king of poison.
Arsenic in metal form is not poisonous. When metal arsenic is exposed to air,
it becomes toxic. Organic compounds of arsenic is less toxic as compare to
inorganic salts.
symptoms
- Nausea,
vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Red or
swollen skin
- Unusual
heart rhythm.
Lead poisoning
It occurs when lead builds up in the body often over months
or years. Even small amount of lead can cause serious health problems. Lead
based paint and lead contaminated dust older building are the most common
sources of lead poisoning in children.
Symptoms
ü Anemia
ü Increase
blood pressure
ü Fatigue
ü Memory
loss headache
Diagnosis
™ History
and general physical examination
™ Routine blood test
™ Urine
test
™ X-ray
Prevention
v If
you work with heavy metals, always wear mask or other safely equipment.
v Check
labels on products for heavy metals.
First aid management
ž Look
at the victim’s condition by checking his pulse and respiration.
ž Try
to find out the type of poison, amount and time if the victim is conscious.
ž If
there are empty bottles and wrapper of medicine, keep them foe examination.
ž If
the person vomits, clear the airway, wrap a cloth around your fingers before
cleaning out the mouth and throat. Save the vomit as it may help the expert identity medicine can
be used to help reverse poisoning.
ž If
the victim has exposed to poisonous fumes, such as carbonmonoxy get him or her into fresh air immediately.
Open windows and door.
ž If
the victim is unconscious:
ž Do
not induce vomiting
ž Make
the victim lie on his back on a flat hard surface and turn to one side.
ž Take
victim into the fresh air
ž Maintain
airway breathing, start resuscitation.
ž Seek
medical help as soon as possible.
Common antidote
- Lead poisoning can be treated by calcium disodium edatate
- Murcury/gold/arsenis poisoning can be treated by dimercaprol
- Iron poisoning can be treated by deferoxamine
- Copper poisoning can be treated by penicillamine
- Cyanide poisoning can be treated by sodium nitrate/ sodium
thiosulphate
By: Alina karki
(Karnali College of Health Sciences)
Gyanu Magar
Sommaya Tamang
Sabita Parajuli
Tags:
Pharmacy Practice