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Toxicity of tin and its compounds
1Department of Health and Social Security, London.
Adverse Drug Reactions and Acute Poisoning Reviews
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Inorganic tin compounds have low toxicity due to poor absorption, while some organotin compounds are toxic, causing neurotoxicity and organ damage. Research suggests potential antitumour applications for tin compounds.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Inorganic tin salts exhibit low oral toxicity due to poor gastrointestinal absorption and rapid excretion.
- Organotin compounds, particularly trimethyltin and triethyltin, are more toxic and can cause significant health effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the toxicity profile of inorganic and organic tin compounds.
- To assess the health risks associated with tin exposure and its potential therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of toxicological studies on metallic tin, inorganic tin salts, and various organotin compounds.
- Analysis of human exposure data and established permissible limits for tin.
- Examination of experimental findings on carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and teratogenicity.
Main Results:
- Inorganic tin has low toxicity; human intake has decreased significantly. Some tin salts can cause renal necrosis parenterally.
- Organotin compounds cause skin/eye irritation, hepatotoxicity, and neurotoxicity (intramyelin edema, neuronal necrosis).
- Experimental studies show no carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or teratogenicity; some tin compounds show antitumour activity.
Conclusions:
- Inorganic tin poses minimal risk at current human exposure levels.
- Certain organotin compounds present significant health hazards, particularly neurotoxicity.
- Tin compounds warrant further investigation for potential use in cancer therapy and hyperbilirubinaemia management.