Zinc toxicity

Zinc Toxicity

Zinc toxicity is a medical condition involving an overdose on, or toxic overexposure to, zinc. Such toxicity levels have been seen to occur at ingestion of greater than 225 mg of zinc. Excessive absorption of zinc can suppress copper and iron absorption. The free zinc ion in solution is highly toxic to bacteria, plants, invertebrates, and even vertebrate fish.

Pronunciation

Zinc Toxicity: /zɪŋk tɒkˈsɪsɪti/

Etymology

The term "Zinc" is derived from the German word "Zinke", which means "pointed". This is likely a reference to the pointed crystals formed after smelting. "Toxicity" comes from the Greek word "toxikon", which means "poison".

Symptoms

Symptoms of zinc toxicity include, but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. Chronic exposure to zinc may result in anemia, pancreatitis, or impaired immune function.

Treatment

Treatment for zinc toxicity includes discontinuing zinc intake, consuming food or drinks that contain copper, iron, or calcium to prevent absorption, and in severe cases, chelation therapy.

Related Terms

• Zinc
• Toxicity
• Heavy metal poisoning
• Chelation therapy
• Copper
• Iron
• Calcium

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Zinc toxicity
• Wikipedia's article - Zinc toxicity

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