1. Topic:
TOXICITY OF ZINC METAL
Metals Toxicity
Toxicity:
Toxicity is the degree to which a substance can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to
the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a
substructure of the organism.
Measuring of toxicity
Toxicity can be measured by its effects on the target (organism, organ, tissue or cell).
Zinc metal:
Zinc, in commerce also spelter, is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and
atomic number 30. It is the first element of group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is the 24th most
abundant element in the Earth's crust and has five stable isotopes.
Occurrence:

2. Zinc makes up about 75 ppm (0.0075%) of the Earth's crust, making it the 24th most
abundant element. Soil contains 5–770 ppm of zinc with an average of 64 ppm. Seawater has
only 30 ppb zinc and the atmosphere contains 0.1–4 μg/m.
Zinc Toxicity:
Even though zinc is an essential requirement for a healthy body, excess zinc can be harmful,
and cause zinc toxicity. Such toxicity levels have been seen to occur at ingestion of greater than
225mg 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.
The free zinc ion is a powerful Lewis acid up to the point of being corrosive. Stomach acid
contains hydrochloric acid, in which metallic zinc dissolves readily to give corrosive zinc
chloride. Swallowing a post-1982 American one cent piece (97.5% zinc) can cause damage to
the stomach lining due to the high solubility of the zinc ion in the acidic stomach.
There is also a condition called the zinc shakes or "zinc chills" that can be induced by the
inhalation of freshly formed zinc oxide formed during the welding of galvanized materials. Zinc
is a common ingredient of denture cream which may contain between 17 and 38 mg of zinc per
gram. There have been cases of disability or even death due to excessive use of these products.
Mechanism of toxicity:
As described by the Free Ion Activity Model (FIAM), even micromolar amounts of the free
zinc ion kills some organisms. The free zinc ion is also a powerful Lewis acid up to the point of
being corrosive. When ingested, metallic zinc readily dissolves in the hydrochloric acid of the
stomach, and displaces the chloride to give the corrosive zinc chloride. For example, swallowing
a post-1982 American one cent piece (97.5%zinc) can cause damage to the stomach lining due to
the high solubility of the zinc ion in the acidic stomach.
Copper There is evidence of induced copper deficiency at low intakes of 100–300 mg Zn/d.
The USDA RDA is 15 mg Zn/d. Even lower levels, closer to the RDA, may interfere with the
utilization of copper and iron or to adversely affect cholesterol. Lipoproteins. Zinc toxicity has
also been linked to alterations of blood lipoprotein levels, with increased levels of LDL and
decreased levels of HDL seen.
Zinc toxicity may take months to resolve.

3. Poisoning:
In 1982, the United States Mint began minting pennies coated in copper but made primarily
of zinc. With the new zinc pennies, there is the potential for zinc toxicosis, which can be fatal.
One reported case of chronic ingestion of 425 pennies (over 1 kg of zinc) resulted in death due to
gastrointestinal bacterial and fungal sepsis, while another patient, who ingested 12 grams of zinc,
only showed lethargy and ataxia (gross lack of coordination of muscle movements).
Several other cases have been reported of humans suffering zinc intoxication by the ingestion
of zinc coins. Pennies and other small coins are sometimes ingested by dogs, resulting in the
need for medical treatment to remove the foreign body. The zinc content of some coins can
cause zinc toxicity, which is commonly fatal in dogs, where it causes a severe hemolytic anemia,
and also liver or kidney damage; vomiting and diarrhea are possible symptoms. Zinc is highly
toxic in parrots and poisoning can often be fatal. The consumption of fruit juices stored in
galvanized cans has resulted in mass parrot poisonings with zinc.
Complications of zinc poisoning include:
 Brain damage
 Organ failure
 Shock
 Unconsciousness and coma
Even though zinc is an essential requirement for a healthy body, excess zinc can be harmful,
and cause zinc toxicity. Such toxicity levels have been seen to occur at ingestion of greater than
225mg 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.
High level of intake by humans:
Zinc has been used therapeutically at a dose of 150 mg/day for months and in some cases for
years, and in one case at a dose of up to 2000 mg/day zinc for months. A decrease in copper
levels and hematological changes have been reported; however, those changes were completely
reversed with the cessation of zinc intake.
There is no evidence that ordinary western people would benefit of increased doses of zinc.
However, zinc has been used as zinc gluconate and zinc acetate lozenges for treating the
common cold and therefore the safety of usage at about 100 mg/day level is a relevant question.
Thus, given that doses of over 150 mg/day for months to years do not cause permanent harm, a
one week usage of about 100 mg/day of zinc in the form of lozenges cannot cause serious
adverse effects.
Risk factors for zinc excess:
 Ingesting zinc in large amounts may occur by consuming acidic food or drink from a
galvanised container or by ingestion of excessive quantities of zinc supplements.

4.  Zinc salts are used in soldering, cement additives, horticultural chemicals and dry cells.
Zinc phosphide is used as a rodenticide.
 Inhalation of zinc fumes may cause metal fume fever. Metal fume fever can follow
inhalation of fumes of zinc, copper, magnesium, aluminium, antimony, iron, manganese and
nickel during welding, galvanising or smelting.
 The intake of zinc from drinking water is very low but may be increased by zinc
contamination from pipes and contaminated wells. The UK current regulatory limit in water
is 5 mg/L.
 Many cases of zinc poisoning from food have resulted from the storage of food or drink in
galvanised containers.
 Zinc may accumulate in acute renal failure.
 Sufferers from haemochromatosis may absorb larger amounts of zinc.
Zinc Deficiency:
A widespread zinc deficiency in our population is another critical cause of a copper
imbalance. Zinc and copper normally exist in a delicate balance. Zinc is a primary copper
antagonist. When zinc is deficient, copper tends to accumulate in various storage organs. Zinc
deficiency is extremely common today.
Dr. Carl Pfeiffer has stated that the entire American population is borderline deficient in
zinc. A zinc deficiency may be due to:
 Stress of any kind causing an increased excretion of zinc.
 A high sugar and carbohydrate diet which lowers tissue zinc levels.
 Vegetarian diets which are lower in zinc.
 Refining of food which removes zinc.
How is zinc poisoning treated?
As zinc poisoning is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition, it is vitally important to
seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms you believe may be associated with zinc
poisoning. Call the American Association of Poison Control Centers (1-800-222-1222) if you or
someone you are with has been exposed to zinc and shows signs of poisoning. It is helpful to be
able to identify the source of the zinc, whether through exposure or ingestion, as well as the
estimated time and level of exposure. Treatment will focus on stabilizing the patient, supporting
breathing and circulation, and may also involve measures.