Kidney damage, heavy metal

Recycling of printer circuit boards is deemed as the most important source of heavy metals to the ambient environment. These heavy metals may be entering into human body from various exposure routes such as ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption. Exposure to high levels of heavy metals can lead to acute and chronic toxicity, such as damage to central and peripheral nervous systems, blood composition, lungs, kidneys, liver, and even death [14],... 

There have been no fatalities in industry attributed to bismuth and it is regarded as relatively non-toxic for a heavy metal.246 The toxic problems which have been recorded have in the main been iatrogenic illnesses. A characteristic blue-black line on the gums, the bismuth line , which may persist for years, is a feature of bismuth overdosage. Soluble salts are excreted via urine and may cause mild kidney damage. Less soluble salts may be excreted in the faeces, which may be black in colour due to the presence of bismuth sulfide. Table 31 contains some toxicity data. 

Like mercury, lead (Pb) is also a heavy metal that causes CNS damage. At lower doses, it can cause anemia and kidney damage. The dosimetry is based on blood levels ... 

If heavy metal poisoning is suspected, the kidneys often show histological damage due to the metal, and also the metals causing the damage tend to concentrate in the kidneys. If the metal poisoning is suspected of being a chronic condition, then s[Pg.113]

In response to the presence of detrimental Cd +, Hg +, Pb +, and other heavy metal ions, the human hver and kidneys synthesize more metallothionein, an unusual small protein in which approximately one-third of the 61 amino acid residues are cysteine see Metallothioneins). The frequency and juxtaposition of sulfhydryl groups provide strong binding sites for several heavy metal ions. Though not as profusely as metallothionein, many proteins contain sulfhydryl groups that may become metalated by toxic heavy metal ions such as Cd +, Hg +, and Pb +, and it is widely believed that this complex formation explains the toxicity of these metal ions. The exact proteins where the most consequential damage occurs remain uncertain. 

Paints often contain solvents such as toluene, xylene, halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, and methylene chloride, as well as heavy metals in their pigments including chromium yellow, lemon yellow (barium chromate), vermilion red (cadmium and mercuric sulfides), and flake white (lead). Both acute and chronic exposures to toluene and xylene are associated with neurotoxicity and can also damage the liver and kidneys. 

Colourless liquid acetone-like odour. Explosive when pure usually used as a 60% solution in dimethyl phthalate. Strong oxidizing agent reacts violently with salts of heavy metals, acids and alkalis. Corrosive, produces liver and kidney damage. 

Many heavy metal ions, such as chromium or nickel, may damage the kidneys and are called nephrotoxins. They can be inhaled as a fine dust or mist. 

Coal ash refers to airborne compounds known as fly ash and bottom ash. These compounds are produced by burning coal. They can contain heavy metals that settle out of the atmosphere onto the land and/or into water sources. These heavy metals eventually accumulate in plants and animals that are consumed by humans. Toxicity from heavy metals can result in damage to the nervous system and to vital organs such as the lungs and kidneys. 

Nephrotoxins Agents that produce kidney damage. Examples of these agents include heavy metals (such as cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury), halogenated hydrocarbons (such as bromobenzene and carbon tetrachloride), antineoplastic drugs such as cisplatin, and others. 

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