TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING BY CHELATION

Abstract

Chelating agents have been used in industry¹ for some time. The substance under consideration here, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid,² with the structural formula shown in the figure, has proved valuable for recovering trace metals from foods and beverages and rare metals in analyzing solutions. Pathologists find it useful in decalcifying bone,³ and Gellhorn⁴ and others have used it clinically in reducing hypercalcemia. The effects of the calcium chelate on the excretion and storage of lead were studied by Rubin⁵ in his experiments on rabbits. Many other animal studies have been reported, and it is in fairly general use by veterinarians.⁶ Bessman, Reid, and Rubin⁷ reported a case in 1952 in which lead encephalopathy in a human being was successfully treated by the intravenous injection of calcium disodium versenate. The same year Belknap⁸ obtained excellent results in three cases with the same treatment.