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.
52 citations
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May 2009 in “Human & experimental toxicology” Hair loss and polyneuropathy improved, but severe vision impairment persisted.
January 2024 in “Current research in toxicology” Thallium is highly toxic, causing severe health issues, and Prussian blue is the best antidote.
96 citations
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September 2017 in “Analytica Chimica Acta” Hair elemental analysis could be useful for health and exposure assessment but requires more standardization and research.
119 citations
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June 1993 in “BMJ” Alopecia is a key indicator of thallium poisoning.
48 citations
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January 2008 in “European Neurology” Thallium poisoning causes pain, hair loss, and nerve issues, treatable with hemoperfusion and hemodialysis.
60 citations
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February 2003 in “Postgraduate Medical Journal” Early diagnosis and haemodialysis can effectively treat thallium poisoning.
