US EPA

1388502 

Journal Article 

Prevention of Occupational Diseases in Workers Exposed to Lead, Mercury, Copper and Arsine 

Suciu, I; Prodan, L; Ilea, E; Paduraru, A; Cocirla, A; Pascu, L; Zegreanu, O 

1977 

Yes 

Analytical Chemistry
ISSN: 0003-2700
EISSN: 1520-6882 

NIOSH/00173550 

50 

8 

210-276 

The effectiveness of various treatments in the detoxication of workers occupationally exposed to lead (7439921), mercury (7439976), copper (7440508), and arsine (7784421) was described. Treatment with various combinations of calcium-disodium-ethylenediaminetetraacetic-acid (CaNa2EDTA), glucose, D-penicilamine, vitamin-B6, and vitamin-C was instituted following acute occupational exposure and urinary excretion was monitored. A total of 504 cases of lead poisoning were successfully treated with daily injections of CaNa2EDTA over 5 days or with oral treatment with D-penicilamine and vitamin-B6 over 10 days. Best lead elimination was obtained with a combination of the two treatments including vitamin-C. Healing of 5 cases of mercury poisoning was seen after 19 day treatment with CaNa2EDTA and vitamin-C. Both D-penicilamine and CaNa2EDTA gave good results in the treatment of copper poisoning. In 25 cases of arsine poisoning, treatment with glucose perfusions, CaNa2EDTA, and oxygenotherapy gave good results with healing. The authors conclude that since it is difficult to prevent accumulation of poisonous metals in the body, it is necessary to control the level of exposure to toxins and to apply treatment before clinical symptoms appear. 

DCN-161312; Lead poisoning; Mercury poisoning; Copper poisoning; Arsenic compounds; Arsenic poisoning; Chelates; Medical treatment; Occupational exposure; Vitamins