Zinc poisoning

Introduction to zinc poisoning Zincpoisoning is mainly due to the application or storage of acidic beverages using galvanized vessels, in which case the acidic solution can decompose more zinc to cause poisoning. Other causes are medicinal zinc oxide (usually used as an astringent) or zinc sulphate (usually used to treat conjunctivitis) or large-area wounds to absorb zinc oxide (often mildly astringent or antiseptic powder). After misuse of zinc salts, mouth, throat and digestive tract erosion, swelling of the lips and glottis, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and water and electrolyte disorders. In severe cases, blood pressure can be seen, and the symptoms of shortness of breath, dilated pupils, shock, and convulsions can be seen. basic knowledge The proportion of illness: 0.003% Susceptible people: no specific population Mode of infection: non-infectious Complications: coma shock

Causes of zinc poisoning

Poisoning is caused by accidental administration of large doses of zinc preparations and inhalation of zinc-containing dust. Zinc is commonly found in various foods. Trace amounts of zinc are necessary for normal physiological metabolism of the human body, but they are easily poisoned when ingested in large quantities. Zinc poisoning caused by food is mainly caused by zinc mixed in the galvanized container or tool, followed by ingestion of a large amount of soluble zinc salts such as zinc chloride, zinc sulfide, zinc sulfate, zinc stearate and the like.

Zinc poisoning prevention

(1) It is forbidden to use galvanized containers and tools to hold, cook, process, transport and preserve acidic foods. It is also dangerous to use galvanized iron drums for juice, jam, ketchup, yogurt, sauerkraut and vinegar.

(2) Properly store all kinds of zinc compounds to prevent ingestion of poisoning.

(3) The zinc salt taste threshold is 15mg/L, the zinc content in drinking water reaches 30mg/L, there is milky white appearance, 40mg/L has metallic taste, 6572280mg/L can cause vomiting, so it is found that the food has zinc taste should stop. edible.

Zinc poisoning complications Complications, coma shock

Inhalation may be complicated by bronchitis, pneumonia and pulmonary edema, and difficulty breathing, hypoxia and hair loss, long-term inhalation of zinc stearate dust, can cause pneumoconiosis and cough, cough, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, chest, etc. .

Those who are severely convinced may have rapid breathing, rapid pulse rate, elevated blood pressure, enlarged pupils, convulsions, coma and shock, and even death. Later, or after temporary recovery, kidney damage, low back pain, proteinuria, hematuria and tube Type urine and so on.

Symptoms of zinc poisoning Common symptoms Abdominal pain, nausea, dyspnea, abdominal distension, fatigue, high heat, breath sound, rough hepatomegaly, mixed acid-base balance disorder, proteinuria

1. Inhalation of zinc oxide soot:

1 casting heat: short incubation period, generally 1-8 hours after inhalation, sudden severe chills, after l or 2 hours, high fever reached 38-40 ° C, may be accompanied by headache, dizziness, fatigue, sweating, muscle and Joint acid cramps, tinnitus, etc., similar to the episode of "malaria", respiratory symptoms, digestive tract dysfunction, severe neurological symptoms such as paralysis, jealousy and confusion, physical examination can find pulse rate, throat Congestion, two lungs in the voice, rough breath sounds; repeated authors, may have hepatomegaly, tenderness, elevated transaminase, anemia, etc., general fever lasted 6-7 hours, symptoms more than 24-48 hours subsided.

2 respiratory symptoms: after inhalation of zinc oxide dust, there may be dry throat and burning sensation, hoarseness or even a loss of sound, metal taste in the mouth, chest, etc., lighter gradually recover after 2-3 days, severe cases can be complicated by bronchitis, pneumonia And pulmonary edema, and breathing difficulties, hypoxia and hair, etc., long-term inhalation of zinc stearate dust, can cause pneumoconiosis and cough, cough, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, chest and so on.

2. Salts that are misused by zinc: may have oral mucosa and digestive tract erosion, mouth, throat and abdominal pain, swelling of the lips and glottis, and thirst, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.; vomiting is purple blue, stool With blood, or even with perforated peritonitis, water and electrolyte disorders may occur. In severe cases, there may be rapid breathing, pulse rate, elevated blood pressure, enlarged pupils, convulsions, coma and shock, etc., even death, later or temporarily restored. After the kidney damage, kidney pain, proteinuria, hematuria and tubular urine, some patients may have pancreatitis and abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, fever, water, electrolytes and acid-base balance disorders, diabetes, ketone After the acute phase of urine and severe poisoning patients, the stomach and esophagus are often narrowed, and a series of symptoms and signs appear.

Zinc poisoning check

1. Toxic substance detection, the poison (zinc) is determined by flame atomic absorption method, and blood zinc and urine zinc are higher than normal values.

2, abnormal blood routine, increased white blood cells, left neutrophils, platelets can be reduced. Multiple acute attacks can cause anemia or increased blood sugar.

3, abnormal urine routine, urine sugar positive, increased urinary bilirubin, occasional leaf urinary urinary.

4, abnormal liver function, elevated transaminase.

Diagnosis and identification of zinc poisoning

Zinc poisoning should be differentiated from other metal poisoning. The most common metal poisoning in occupational exposure is lead, manganese, mercury, arsenic and so on.

Other occupations of chronic contact metals and their compounds are aluminum, chromium, cadmium, copper, nickel, tin, antimony, bismuth, etc., which cause damage to different organs. If symptoms of poisoning occur, they should go to the occupational disease specialist in time. Diagnosis and treatment, so as not to delay the disease.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.