Gastrointestinal Exposure

The toxic effects of chronic exposure to cadmium differ somewhat with the route of exposure. The kidney is affected following either pulmonary or gastrointestinal exposure marked effects are observed in the lungs only after exposure by inhalation. 

Anthrax mainly occurs in three forms cutaneous, inhalation, and gastrointestinal. Exposure to B. anthracis most likely in an occupational setting is the cause of cutaneous anthrax. The incubation period varies from 1 to 12 days. In most cases, the disease remains localized to the skin lesion. Major diagnostic characteristic is the development of edema around the... 

For the respiratory tract, inhalation can cause spasms, inflammation and edema of the larynx and bronchi, dyspnea, cyanosis, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema. Serious symptoms, such as pulmonary edema and asphyxiation, may not be observed for hours after overexposure. Occasionally, cardiac failure occurs as a complication of severe pulmonary edema. With regards to the cardiovascular system, diphosgene can cause rapid heartbeat and hypotension. Gastrointestinal exposure may cause nausea and vomiting in patients and may be fatal. 

The primary risk for ethylene glycol toxicity is through gastrointestinal exposure. Exposure can... 

Possible routes of exposure include cutaneous, mucosal, gastrointestinal, inhalation, and parenteral (intravenous or intramuscular). Gastrointestinal exposures are usually accidental and occur most commonly when castor (ricin) or jequirty (abrin) beans are chewed or swallowed. Cutaneous exposures are limited primarily to castor beans, which are unusually allergenic and may cause severe cutaneous hypersensitivity and systemic allergic reactions. Inhalation and parenteral exposures are generally limited to intentional, usually malicious, exposures. 

Thallium and thallium salts are readily absorbed by virtually all routes, with gastrointestinal exposure being the most common route to produce toxicity. Thallium also crosses the placenta freely. Thallium enters cells by a unique process governed by its similarity in charge and ionic radius to potassium. Unlike potassium, however, once thallium enters the cells, it is released slowly. It can concentrate in the liver and kidneys. Since it is soluble at physiological pH, it does not form complexes with bone. Most thallium is excreted in the urine, but it is excreted slowly and can be detected months after exposure. 

Human data on both forms of trichloroethanes indicate that they are both rapidly and extensively absorbed upon inhalation, dermal, or gastrointestinal exposure. Animal studies show that 1,1,1-trichloroethane is metabolized slowly, but it is distributed by the blood to virtually all tissues and organs with a preference to fatty tissues. In humans and animals the principal pathway of elimination is by exhalation of the unchanged material via the lungs. The biological half-life is estimated to be 8.7h. Only very limited studies on distribution and elimination were available for 1,1,2-trichloroethane however, it is likely that these mechanisms are very similar to that of 1,1,1-trichloroethane. 

Adamsson E, Piscator M, and Nogawa K (1979). Pulmonary and gastrointestinal exposure to cadmium oxide dust in a battery factory. Environmental Health Perspectives, 28, 219-222. 

Adamsson E, Piscator M, Nogawa K (1979) Pulmonary and gastrointestinal exposure to cadmium oxide dust in a battery factory. Environ. Health Perspect. 28 219-222 Al-Haddad IK, Chettle DR, Fletcher JG, Fremlin JH (1981) A transportable system for measurement of kidney cadmium in vivo. Int. J. Appl. Radiat. Isot. 32 109-112 Bernard A, Buchet JP, Roels H, Masson PL, Lauwerys R (1979) Renal excretion of proteins and enzymes in workers exposed to cadmium. Eur. J. Clin. Invest. 9 11-22 Bernard A, Goret A, Buchet JP, Roels H, Lauwerys R (1980) Significance of cadmium levels in blood and urine during long-term exposure of rats to cadmium. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health 16 31-41... 

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