Teresa Lechand Joacute;zefa Krystyna Sadlik Author

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Clinical and Forensic Aspects of Thallium Intoxication in Humans

Author(s):

Teresa Lech and Józefa Krystyna Sadlik

Examinations for heavy metals are often neglected in routine chemico-toxicological forensic analyses, but acute intoxication can occur. Thallium is one of the most toxic metals, the salts of which are rapidly and almost completely absorbed by any route. Non-specific symptoms at the beginning of intoxication often prevent an early correct diagnosis and the application of appropriate detoxification treatment. In this work, we present some cases of poisoning with thallium compounds by different routes. Among the symptoms, the most frequent were severe polyneuropathy, paresthesia, abdominal and chest pain, leg cramps, and sometimes alopecia. The concentrations of thallium in blood and urine in a case of poisoning (inhalation) at the work place of a 31-year-old man were as follows: 32 and 79... view more»

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