[Bismuth--an environmental pollutant of the future]

Campylobacter pylori had become an interesting object in the discussion of the etiology of gastritis and peptic ulcer. Marshall was the first to describe antrum gastritis and duodenal ulcers as infectious diseases. Consequently new forms of therapy like antibiotics and bismuth salts were studied. In time the most favoured method of treatment is the administration of inorganic bismuth salts. There is a lack of recognition about the behaviour of this heavy metal in environment. 0.5 to 1 gram pure Bismuth per day and person leaves the patients naturally by faeces. The number of patients with gastric disorder is very large. Becomes bismuth a environmental problem in future?