<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Thallium is a naturally occurring trace element, widely distributed in the earth's crust, but at very low concentrations. It does not have a known biological use and does not appear to be an essential element for life. It has been considered one of the most toxic heavy metals.</p><p>Occasionally, there are reports on thallium poisoning as results of suicide or murder attempt or accident. The main threat to humans is through occupational exposure, environmental contamination, and accumulation in food, mainly in vegetables grown on contaminated soil. Increasing use in emerging new technologies and demanding high-tech industry constantly raise concern about exposure risk to all living organisms. Thallium is considered a cumulative poison that can cause adverse health effects and degenerative changes in many organs. The effects are the most severe in the nervous system. The exact mechanism of thallium toxicity still remains unknown, although impaired glutathione metabolism, oxidative stress, and disruption of potassium-regulated homeostasis may play a role. The lack of data about mutagenic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic effects of thallium compounds in humans calls for further research.</p></abstract>

Thallium is a naturally occurring trace element, widely distributed in the earth's crust, but at very low concentrations. It does not have a known biological use and does not appear to be an essential element for life. It has been considered one of the most toxic heavy metals.Occasionally, there are reports on thallium poisoning as results of suicide or murder attempt or accident. The main threat to humans is through occupational exposure, environmental contamination, and accumulation in food, mainly in vegetables grown on contaminated soil. Increasing use in emerging new technologies and demanding high-tech industry constantly raise concern about exposure risk to all living organisms. Thallium is considered a cumulative poison that can cause adverse health effects and degenerative changes in many organs. The effects are the most severe in the nervous system. The exact mechanism of thallium toxicity still remains unknown, although impaired glutathione metabolism, oxidative stress, and disruption of potassium-regulated homeostasis may play a role. The lack of data about mutagenic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic effects of thallium compounds in humans calls for further research.

Thallium Toxicity in Humans

Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

University Hospital Merkur, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

{"article-title":"Thallium Toxicity in Humans"}

Thallium is a naturally occurring trace element, widely distributed in the earth's crust, but at very low concentrations. It does not have a known biological...

Thallium Toxicity in Humans

Pubblicato online: 25 mar 2010

Pagine: 111 - 119

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-1976

Parole chiave
alopecija, onečišćenje okoliša, periferna neuropatija, teški metal, trovanje

This content is open access.

Thallium Toxicity in Humans

Pubblicato online: 25 mar 2010

Pagine: 111 - 119

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-1976

Parole chiavealopecija, onečišćenje okoliša, periferna neuropatija, teški metal, trovanje

This content is open access.

Parole chiave
alopecija, onečišćenje okoliša, periferna neuropatija, teški metal, trovanje