Intratesticular radionuclide and spermatogenic damage.

The chemical elements gallium, indium, and thallium belong to group IIIA in the periodic table. Thallium developed a well‐deserved reputation for its toxic properties and was recognized as a potent accidental, occupational, and environmental poison, with many homicide and suicide reports. Although gallium and indium are not as toxic as thallium, their production represents an important source of exposure, due to their increasing applications in semiconductor electronic devices. Gallium compounds particularly produce kidney and pulmonary toxicity, with depression of the immune system. Indium compounds mainly induce nephrotoxicity, and developmental toxicity, as well as effects on the pulmonary system. In contrast, thallium compounds act as general poisons. Some compounds are also capable of altering various cellular defense mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis. However, many aspects of the toxicity of these individual compounds in the environment and human beings, including toxicokinetics, mechanisms of action, carcinogenic and teratogenic potential, and the best treatments for acute poisoning, remain to be elucidated.

Gallium, Indium, and Thallium

Repetto,

del Peso,

Maisanaba

2023

Gallium, Indium, and Thallium

Repetto¹,

Peso²

2001

The chemical elements gallium, indium, and thallium belong to group IIIA in the periodic table. Unlike other metals, such as lead and arsenic, which have been featured prominently in toxicologic folklore since antiquity, they are relative newcomers, discovered from 1861 to 1876. Since then, thallium has developed a well‐deserved reputation for its toxic properties and is recognized as a potent accidental, occupational, and environmental poison, with incidence in cases of homicide and suicide. Although gallium and indium are not as toxic as thallium, their production and industrial use represent an important source of exposure, particularly in the increasing manufacture of semiconductor electronic devices. Gallium compounds particularly produce pulmonary toxicity. Indium compounds induce pulmonary toxicity and also nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and developmental toxicity, whereas thallium compounds act as general poisons. Some compounds are also capable of altering various cellular defense mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis. However, many aspects of the toxicity of individual compounds in human beings, including toxicokinetics, mechanisms of action, teratogenic potential, and the best treatment, remain to be elucidated.

Gallium, Indium, and Thallium

Repetto¹,

Peso²

2012

The chemical elements gallium, indium, and thallium belong to group IIIA in the periodic table. Unlike other metals, such as lead and arsenic, which have been featured prominently in toxicological folklore since antiquity, these are relative newcomers, discovered from 1861 to 1876. Since then, thallium has developed a well‐deserved reputation for its toxic properties and is recognized as a potent accidental, occupational, and environmental poison, with incidence in cases of homicide and suicide. Although gallium and indium are not as toxic as thallium, their production and industrial use represent an important source of exposure, particularly in the increasing manufacture of semiconductor electronic devices. Gallium compounds particularly produce pulmonary toxicity. Indium compounds induce pulmonary toxicity and also nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and developmental toxicity, whereas thallium compounds act as general poisons. Some compounds are also capable of altering various cellular defense mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis. However, many aspects of the toxicity of individual compounds in human beings, including toxicokinetics, mechanisms of action, teratogenic potential, and the best treatment, remain to be elucidated.