TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING BY CHELATION

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Abstract
Chelating agents have been used in industry1for some time. The substance under consideration here, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid,2with 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,3and Gellhorn4and others have used it clinically in reducing hypercalcemia. The effects of thecalcium chelate on the excretion and storage of lead were studied by Rubin5in his experiments on rabbits. Many other animal studies have been reported, and it is in fairly general use by veterinarians.6Bessman, Reid, and Rubin7reported 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 Belknap8obtained excellent results in three cases with the same treatment.

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