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Prophylactic Chelation Therapy: A Review of the Literature.

Bridbord K

NIOSH 1976 Mar:25 pages

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00208296

This report presented a review of the literature concerning the usefulness of prophylactic chelation therapy as a means of controlling occupational lead (7439921) intoxication. Reports concerning both the routine use of chelation therapy to avoid high blood lead concentrations and the use of chelation therapy to lower already elevated blood lead levels were reviewed. Studies included the use of calcium-disodium-ethylenediamine-tetraacetic-acetate (EDTA) and penicillamine therapies. The general consensus of opinion among those treating this occurrence in the field was that chelation or similarly acting agents have a definite place in the treatment regimen. The prophylactic use of these agents, however, has been viewed as being somewhat harmful to the health of the individual being so treated in that it can cause kidney damage, symptomatic lead poisoning, increased absorption of lead from the gastrointestinal tract, and disruption in the metabolism of trace metals other than lead. The author concludes that no support can be given to the routine prophylactic use of chelating agents to avoid high lead levels in exposed workers.

NIOSH-Author; Medical-treatment; Lead-poisoning; Heavy-metal-poisoning; Blood-analysis; Preventive-medicine; Chelates; Lead-compounds; Chelating-agents;

7439-92-1;

19760316

Other;

1976

PB92-221423

A03

NIOSH, Rockville, Maryland, 25 pages, 26 references

MD;