Zinc Poisoning

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Zinc belongs to biogenic elements, is present in tissues of animal and plant origin, is part of more than 400 enzymes, participates in the synthesis of a number of anabolic hormones, and is a regulator of physiological processes. Its content in the body fluctuates within a few thousandths of a percent, with the exception of the so-called concentrating organisms: some marine invertebrates, for example, oysters (the zinc content in them reaches 0.5% of the total dry residue), gallmean plants, etc.

Source: depositphotos.com

The substance zinc is a brittle metal of bluish-white color, covered in air with a thin layer of oxide. It does not occur in its native form in nature, it is presented in minerals, of which more than 70 are known, in various polymetallic ores. In conditions of high humidity, especially in the presence of CO ₂, it degrades even at ordinary temperatures. When heated strongly, zinc burns intensely with a bluish flame with the formation of white smoke - zinc oxide.

Zinc is actively used in various industrial sectors:

protection of steel against corrosion (zinc or metallization);
refining of lead from precious metals;
manufacture of batteries;
casting of elements of various mechanisms;
zincography in printing;
introduction of solders into the composition to improve their physical properties;
production of zinc white;
manufacturing of brass, etc.

Zinc oxide is used as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent in medicine.

Metal zinc is low-toxic, its salts and oxide are dangerous, which can cause acute intoxication of varying severity.

How does zinc poisoning occur?

Poisoning with zinc oxide occurs when inhalation of its vapors, acute poisoning is also possible when using zinc and its compounds inside. For example, one gram of zinc sulfate (ZnSO ₄) is enough to cause severe poisoning.

Zinc intoxication is usually of a professional nature:

inhalation of highly dispersed aerosol of zinc oxide (foundry fever);
inhalation of zinc vapors during welding, metal cutting and melting of zinc solders;
prolonged stay in a production room where the air is saturated with zinc vapor (in case of violation of technological processes or safety measures at the workplace).

In everyday life, zinc poisoning occurs more often, which came from food stored or made in galvanized dishes.

Perhaps the use of zinc white or zinc sulfate by children in the process of playing.

Poisoning symptoms

When salts and zinc oxide enter the gastrointestinal tract, characteristic signs of acute poisoning develop:

metallic taste in the mouth;
vomiting, sometimes mixed with blood, nausea;
profuse salivation;
pain in the abdomen;
diarrhea;
cramps, often in the calf muscles.

Zinc chloride in a concentration of more than 20% has a powerful cauterizing effect, when ingested it causes a chemical burn of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, can cause the development of a gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer.

Inhalation of vapors of zinc chloride and phosphide, zinc sulfate develops lesions of the respiratory system, manifested by the following symptoms:

ulceration of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, nasopharynx and oropharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi;
dry mouth, thirst;
burning and soreness in the nasal cavity, pharynx;
dry cough;
decreased performance, deterioration in general condition;
drowsiness, loss of appetite;
dyspnea;
cyanotic staining of the skin;
increased heart rate.

A disease triggered by inhalation of zinc oxide fumes is separately classified. This is the so-called casting, or zinc, or metal fever, which manifests itself as an acute malaria-like symptom complex that develops within a few hours after contact (maximum 12 hours, on average 3–6).

It begins with a sharp general weakness.
Complaints of a metallic taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, deafness, a burning sensation in the throat, and a dry, hacking cough. Later, aches throughout the body, nausea, sometimes abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, chills join.
The appearance of a true fever is characteristic - a feeling of cold is replaced by a tremendous chill lasting up to 3 hours. The period of fever lasts from 6 to 8 hours, it is resolved by pouring sweat, the temperature drops critically to normal, after which deep sleep sets in and the state of health improves.
Determined dry scattered wheezing, pulse rate up to 90-100 beats / min.
The broken state remains for several days.

The symptoms of foundry fever can develop repeatedly in persons who are systematically in contact with metal, or appear acutely when inhaling vapors saturated with zinc oxide, and often stop on their own.

Source: depositphotos.com

First aid for zinc poisoning

Evacuate the victim from the lesion or break contact with a poisonous substance.
Provide oxygen access by opening a window, unbuttoning tight clothing.
Alkaline drinks (mineral water, milk).
Baking soda inhalation.
Provide physical and psycho-emotional peace.
If the poisoning is caused by the use of salts or zinc oxides inside, rinse the stomach (for this you need to drink 1–1.5 liters of warm water or 3% baking soda solution and induce an emetic urge by pressing on the root of the tongue).

When is medical attention required?

You need to seek medical attention in the following cases:

during the provision of emergency care, there is no improvement or the victim's condition has worsened;
there is an admixture of blood in the vomit and feces;
fever is uncontrollable, accompanied by neurological symptoms (delirium, impaired coordination, orientation, hearing and vision);
a child, a pregnant woman, an elderly person was injured;
the victim is in a soporous or comatose state and is inaccessible to contact.

Possible consequences

Severe zinc poisoning can have serious complications:

diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract (pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, tracheobronchitis, bronchitis);
toxic pneumonia;
toxic pulmonary edema;
pneumosclerosis;
general allergization;
change in blood count (anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome);
malignant neoplasms (with prolonged systematic exposure).

Prevention

To prevent poisoning with zinc compounds, you must:

observe safety precautions at the workplace;
when welding galvanized metal parts, work in a respirator, ensure a constant flow of fresh air;
use personal protective equipment (overalls, goggles, respirator, gloves);
do not store food in zinc or galvanized dishes;
do not allow home storage of zinc compounds used in everyday life, in places accessible to children.

Olesya Smolnyakova Therapy, clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy About the author

Education: higher, 2004 (GOU VPO "Kursk State Medical University"), specialty "General Medicine", qualification "Doctor". 2008-2012 - Postgraduate student of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, KSMU, Candidate of Medical Sciences (2013, specialty "Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology"). 2014-2015 - professional retraining, specialty "Management in education", FSBEI HPE "KSU".

The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!