Metal Poisoning and Symptoms

The toxicity, health effects, and related symptoms of poisoning caused by different metals and metal compounds in humans is modulated by many factors. In a large number of instances, poisoning from metal compounds is because of the persistence of the metal dusts and fumes present in the workplace, as well as the properties of each metal, the pattern or route of exposure, the form and nature of the metal, and the quantity or concentration of the metal compound ingested, inhaled, or absorbed into the system. The health status of a worker modulates its toxicity. Toxic metals cause severe poisoning and skin diseases such as melanosis, leukomelanosis, keratosis, nonpitting edema, gangrene, and skin cancer. 

Industrial workers often complain of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, headache, sweating, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Depending on the metals in question, there may be blue-black lines in the gum tissues and impairment of cognitive, motor, and language skills. The expression mad as a hatter comes from the mercury poisoning prevalent in seventeenth century France among hat makers, who soaked animal hides in a solution of mercuric nitrate to soften the hair. 

While several symptoms and health disorders are common to many metals, some of the metals produce specihc symptoms and health effects (see Appendix 5.1). 

Synonyms and trade names aluminum wire, aluminum foil, aluminum shot 

Aluminum and cancer The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the US. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not evaluated the carcinogenic potential of aluminum in humans. Aluminum has not been shown to cause cancer in animals. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (lARC) has classified aluminum under group 1, meaning that it is a known human carcinogen.  

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