Everything about Toxic Metal totally explained
Toxic metals are
metals that form
poisonous soluble compounds and have no biological role, for example are not essential minerals, or are in the wrong form. Often
heavy metals are thought as synonymous, but lighter metals also have toxicity, as exemplified by
beryllium, and not all heavy metals are particularly toxic and some are even essential (such as
iron). The definition may also include
trace elements when considered in abnormally high, toxic doses. A difference is that there's no beneficial dose for a toxic metal with no biological role.
Toxic metals sometimes imitate the action of an essential element in the body, interfering with the metabolic process to cause
illness. Many metals, particularly
heavy metals are toxic, but some heavy metals are essential, have a low toxicity, and
bismuth is even non-toxic. Most often the definition includes at least
cadmium,
lead,
mercury and the radioactive metals.
Metalloids (
arsenic,
polonium) may be included in the definition. Radioactive metals have both radiation toxicity and chemical toxicity. Metals in an oxidation state abnormal to the body may also become toxic:
chromium(III) is an essential trace element, but chromium(VI) is a
carcinogen. The toxicity of any metal depends on its ligands.
Toxicity is a function of solubility. Insoluble compounds as well as the metallic forms often exhibit negligible toxicity. In some cases, organometallic forms, such as
dimethyl mercury and
tetraethyl lead, can be extremely toxic. In other cases, organometallic derivatives are less toxic such as cobaltocenium cation.
Decontamination for toxic metals is different from organic toxins: because toxic metals are elements, they can't be destroyed. Toxic metals may be made insoluble or collected, possibly by the aid of chelating agents.
Toxic metals can
bioaccumulate in the body and in the
food chain. The exceptions are
barium and
aluminum. Therefore, a common characteristic of toxic metals is the chronic nature of their toxicity.
Toxic metals
Aluminum has no biological role and its classification into toxic metals is controversial. Significant toxic effects and accumulation to tissues have been observed in renally impaired patients. However, individuals with healthy kidneys can be exposed to large amounts of aluminum with no ill effects. Thus, aluminum isn't considered dangerous to persons with normal elimination capacity.
Trace elements with toxicity
Chromium as hexavalent Cr(VI)
Nickel – nickel salts are carcinogenic
Copper –
Iron – iron poisoning
Nonmetals
Some heavy nonmetals may be erroneously called "metals", because they've some metallic properties.
Selenium – a nonmetal; essential element
Arsenic (see arsenic poisoning) is a metalloidFurther Information
Get more info on 'Toxic Metal'.
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