Metal Carbonyl - Toxicology

Toxicology

The toxicity of metal carbonyls is due to toxicity of carbon monoxide, the metal, and because of the volatility and instability of the complexes. Exposure occurs by inhalation, or for liquid metal carbonyls by ingestion or due to the good fat solubility by skin resorption. Most clinical experience were gained from toxicological poisoning with nickel carbonyl and iron pentacarbonyl. Nickel carbonyl is considered as one of the strongest inhalation poisons.

Inhalation of nickel carbonyl causes acute non-specific symptoms similar to a carbon monoxide poisoning as nausea, cough, headaches, fever and dizziness. After some time, severe pulmonary symptoms such as cough, tachycardia cyanosis or problems in the gastrointestinal tract occur. In addition to pathological alterations of the lung, such as by metallation of the alveoli, damages are observed in the brain, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands and the spleen. A metal carbonyl poisoning often requires a long-lasting recovery.

Chronic exposure by inhalation of low concentrations of nickel carbonyl can cause neurological symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, dizziness and memory loss. Nickel carbonyl is considered carcinogenic, but it can take 20 to 30 years from the start of exposure to the clinical manifestation of cancer.

Read more about this topic:  Metal Carbonyl