Anachem

• Elements in Group (heavy metals)

  • IB
  • IIB
  • IIIA
  • IV (row 6 & 7)
• Thallium is a soft metal that quickly oxidizes upon exposure to air
• Aluminum is the most abundant metal and constricts blood vessels when applied topically
• Physiological effects of metal intoxication

  1. Systemic: Chills, Fever, Pain

  2. Eye: Yellowing

  3. Mouth: Metallic taste

  4. Muscles: Weakness

  5. Liver: Decreased function

  6. Circulatory: Anemia/shock

  7. Skin: Yellowing

  8. Gastric: Vomiting, Nausea, Abdominal pain, Burning sensation

  9. Intestinal: Diarrhea

  10. Kidneys: No urine production
• Analytical Methods

  • AAS-F: Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with Flame
  • AAS-ETA: Atomic Absorption Spectrometry - Electrothermal Atomization Furnace
  • ICP-OES: Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry
  • ICP-MS: Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry
  • LC-MS: High Performance Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry
  • Photometric assay
• Heavy Metals are dangerous and can bioaccumulate
• Silicon is the 2nd most abundant element and most abundant element in the environment
• Bioaccumulate


  Increase in concentration of chemical in biological organism over time
• Beryllium is the most toxic metal
• Lead is a soft, malleable metal commonly found in the environment and is toxic, especially for young children
• Lead absorption is slow; action is cumulative
• Young children are at risk from repeated ingestion of lead (mouthing toy or jewelry that contains lead)
• Lead toxicity includes impaired growth and development, decreased Vitamin D, hemoglobin synthesis, nephropathy, encephalopathy, and death
• Uses of lead


  • Pigments, stabilizer, binders
• Facts about arsenic

  • Steel-gray brittle solid with distinct metallic luster, widely known toxin, extensive use by Renaissance, "Poison of Kings", "Kings of Poison", number one toxicant in US, known carcinogenic agent
• Lead is stored in bones
• Lead poisoning can cause peripheral motor neuropathy, normochromic anemia, hemolysis, nephrotoxic effects, and reproductive outcomes
• Silver is a "noble metal" and possesses oligodynamic action
• Acute lead ingestion symptoms include abdominal pain, anemia, toxic hepatitis, encephalopathy
• Uses of silver


  • Making articles of value (coins, jewelry, etc.)
• Arsenic is present in some insecticides
• Ways of lead exposure

  • Dermal absorption/contact, ingestion, inhalation
• Antidote for silver poisoning is 6% Na2S2O3 + 1% K4Fe(CN)6
• Arsenic exposure can lead to various acute and chronic effects on the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurologic, hematologic, and dermatologic systems
• Arsenic is a protoplasmic poison and can lead to polycythemia vera
• Central nervous system effects of lead poisoning include impaired concentration, headache, diminished visual-motor coordination, tremor
• Hair analysis can be used to document the time of arsenic exposure
• Silver toxicity includes skin discoloration, effects on hemopoiesis, and cardiac enlargement
• Specific drugs and antidotes for lead encephalopathy are available
• Toxic doses of arsenic depend on the type of compound ingested
• Mechanism of lead toxicity involves multisystem toxicity mediated by several mechanisms and pharmacokinetics
• GI effects of lead poisoning include crampy abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea
• Antidotes for lead poisoning include chelation of BAL and Dimercaprol
• Treatment of burns with silver sulfadiazine
• Constitutional effects of lead poisoning include fatigue, malaise, irritability, anorexia, insomnia
• Lead is a metal commonly found in the environment
• Mechanisms of arsenic toxicity include various soluble and insoluble compounds
• Repeated intentional inhalation of lead gas can lead to ataxia, myoclonic jerking, hyperreflexia
• Antidotes for arsenic poisoning include Unithiol, Dimercaprol, and chelation therapy
• Special tests are available to determine arsenic levels