Thallium
August 2014
in “
Elsevier eBooks
”
TLDR Thallium exposure can cause serious health issues, including nerve damage and hair loss.
Thallium compounds were rapidly absorbed and widely distributed in the body, with the highest initial concentration in the kidneys and excretion through urine, feces, and hair. Acute thallium poisoning caused gastroenteritis, collapse, peripheral neuropathy, and alopecia after 2-3 weeks, while chronic exposure led to vague ill health, paresthesias, and hair loss. Environmental exposure from industrial pollution could exceed normal dietary intake, necessitating biomonitoring and emission reduction in affected areas.
