ABSTRACT
Antimony is used in alloys, type metal, foil, batteries, ceramics, textiles, safety matches, ant paste, and a number of chemicals, including tartar emetic. Arsenic is used in ant poisons, insecticides, weed killers, paint, wallpaper, ceramics, and glass. The action of acids on metals in the presence of arsenic forms arsine gas. Cadmium is used for plating metals and in the manufacture of bearing alloys and silver solders. In fatal acute poisoning from the inhalation of cadmium fumes, pathologic examination reveals inflammation of the pulmonary epithelium and pulmonary edema. X-ray evidence of transverse bands of increased density at the ends of growing bones is present in chronic poisoning in children and is most likely at ages 2–5 years. In poisoning from ingestion of phosphorus, the mortality rate is about 50%. In phosphine inhalation, survival for 4 days is ordinarily followed by recovery. The principal manifestations of acute zinc fume or other metal fume poisoning are muscular aches and fever.
