Metal Toxicology

Question 1

main heavy metals

Answer 1

lead, mercury and cadmium

Question 2

natural source of metal contamination

Answer 2

volcanos

Question 3

environmental distribution of metals: atmospheric contamination

Answer 3

what we look at in ice cores

main way

Question 4

environmental distribution of metals: water

Answer 4

if it’s in the water it’s coming from the atmosphere mainly

Question 5

environmental distribution of metals: food

Answer 5

plants can take up toxic metals, mainly cadmium

Question 6

mercury is the only metal that is

Answer 6

liquid at room temp, good conductor of electricity

Question 7

mercury is highly toxic in what form?

Answer 7

VAPOR

Question 8

organic Hg compounds that are produced by anaerobes are

Answer 8

highly lipid soluble and VERY toxic

Question 9

sources of Hg

Answer 9

switches, light bulbs
emissions from industrial plants
burning coal & fuel
incineration of municipal wastes
leaching from Hg containing compounds
dental fillings

Question 10

effects of Hg on human health - burns, rashes, skin irritation

Answer 10

Hg salts

Question 11

effects of Hg on human health - renal damage

Answer 11

elemental Hg

Question 12

effects of Hg on human health - vision problems

Answer 12

elemental and organic Hg

Question 13

effects of Hg on human health - minamata disease

Answer 13

organic Hg

Question 14

cadmium is similar to the other metal,

Answer 14

zinc

Question 15

main environmental source of cadmium is from

Answer 15

coal burning but also incineration of wastes

Question 16

cadmium is most toxic in what form?

Answer 16

ionic

Question 17

sources of cadmium

Answer 17

charm bracelets
plants accumulate - potatoes and grains
seefood and organ meets
used in nicad batteries
pigment in yellow paints
TV screens
cigarette smoke
fertilizers and pesticides

Question 18

cadmiums effects on human health

Answer 18

our body accumulates in our LIVER & KIDNEYS

severe pain in joints because it replaces calcium

Question 19

Lead is easy to use as a

Answer 19

pure metal

Question 20

sources of lead

Answer 20

construction for roofing
pipes
ammunition
used in batteries
sinkers in fishing 
paints
glazes
PVC mini blinds
home remedies

Question 21

health effects from lead - frank lead poisoning

Answer 21

produces general symptoms like fatigue, myalgia, abdominal pain and headache

Question 22

health effects from lead - death can result from

Answer 22

encephalopathy, cerebral edema, seizure or renal failure

Question 23

health effects from lead - cognitive deficits

Answer 23

quantifiable as of a decrease in IQ of 4 points for every increase of 10 ug/dl BI Pb

Question 24

who is most at risk for lead poisonings???

Answer 24

developing fetuses and children

Question 25

what therapy is recommended for individuals with high exposure to lead?

Answer 25

chelation therapy

Question 26

calcium supplements have been shown to

Answer 26

decrease blood lead in pregnant women

Question 27

what do you do about lead poisoning??

Answer 27

nothing really, you try to eliminate the source of contamination

Question 28

chemistry of metals - most are electron

Answer 28

acceptors

Question 29

nonisomorphous replacement

Answer 29

toxic metal replaces the usual metal in a protein, nucleic acid or membrane

Question 30

metal ion size is the major determinant of

Answer 30

selectivity

Question 31

calcium is readily replaced by

Answer 31

cadmium

Question 32

magnesium is readily replaced by

Answer 32

nickel

Question 33

metal scavenger proteins

Answer 33

have a high affinity for toxic metals, act as a sink for toxic metals

Question 34

metalothionine is the primary example of

Answer 34

metal scavenger proteins