A Small Dose of Metals

• An Introduction into the Health Effects of Metals

Metals Dossier

Look closely, some metals are essential and some are very toxic. Find out about the following –

Nutritionally Important metals
Chromium (Cr)
Copper (Cu)
Iron (Fe)
Magnesium (Mg)
Manganese (Mn)
Selenium (Se)
Zinc (Zn)

Toxicologically important metals
Aluminum (Al)
Arsenic (As) (can exist in different forms)
Beryllium (Be) (Chronic Beryllium Disease)
Cadmium (Cd)
Cobalt (Co)
Lead (Pb)
Mercury Inorganic (Hg)
Mercury - Organic (Hg-CH3)
Nickel
Tin (Sn)

Medical important metals
Bismuth (Bi)
Fluorine (F)
Gallium (Ga)
Gold (Au)
Lithium (Li)
Platinum (Pt)

Chelating agents

Metals Chapter

• A Small Dose of Metals - chapter pdf

PowerPoint presentation

• A Small Dose of Metals - PowerPoint presentation (0.5 mgb)

More Information and References

European, Asian, and international Agencies

• England - Department of Health - Maternal and infant nutrition. (accessed: 9 April 2009).
  The Department of Health provides information on nutritional requirements for children and mothers.

• World Health Organization. (accessed: 10 April 2009).
  Who information on nutrition, also search the health topics section for a specific metal.

North American Agencies

• Health Canada - Food and Nutrition. (accessed: 9 April 2009).
  Health Canada provides information on nutritional issues.

• U.S. Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry (ATSDR). (accessed: 10 April 2009).
  See fact sheets and case studies in many metals and other agents.

Non-Government Organizations

• Dartmouth Toxic Metals Research Program (accessed: 10 April 2009).
  The site has general information on toxic metals.

References

• Liu, J., Goyer, R.A. and Waalkes, MP. Toxic Effects of Metals. In Casarett & Doull's Toxicology. 7th edition. Ed. Curtis D. Klaasen. McGraw Hill, New York, 2008. pp 931-980.

• Curtis D. Klaassen (1996). Heavy Metals and Heavy-Metal Antagonists. Chapter in Hardman, J.G., Limbird, L.E., Molinoff, P.B., Ruddon, R.W. Gilman, A.G. (eds) Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 9th edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996, pp. 1649-1671.

• National Academy of Sciences. (1993). Measuring lead exposure in infants, children, and other sensitive populations. National Academy Press: Washington, D.C.

• Rogan, W.J., Dietrich, K.N., Ware, J.H., Dockery, D.W., Salganik, M., Radcliffe, J., Jones, R.L., Ragan, N.B., Chisolm, J.J., Jr. & Rhoads, G.G. (2001). The Effect of Chelation Therapy with Succimer on Neuropsychological Development in Children Exposed to Lead. N Engl J Med, 344, 1421-1426.

• National Research Council. Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards. In: National Research Council of the National Academies. Available at http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11571&page=R1; 2006.