The toxicity of bismuth arises mainly from its heavy metal properties and its interaction with substances in living organisms. Bismuth belongs to the microtoxic group of elements that are usually virtually non-toxic to humans at therapeutic doses, but may trigger toxicity when used in large quantities or in prolonged exposure.
When bismuth enters the human body, it can bind to proteins to form complexes, and this binding may interfere with the absorption and utilisation of proteins, cause irritation of the gastric mucosa, and cause nausea, vomiting and other symptoms. In addition, bismuth can also combine with bacterial proteins to inhibit the synthesis of bacteria and viruses, but this may also disrupt the normal balance of flora in the human body, leading to a series of poisoning symptoms.
Symptoms of bismuth poisoning are varied, mainly in the digestive system, nervous system, urinary system and blood system. For example, patients may suffer from abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, restlessness, drowsiness, muscle twitching and even coma. In addition, bismuth poisoning may cause serious conditions such as haemolysis and abnormal liver and kidney functions.
Bismuth toxicity is also related to its radioactivity. Although bismuth’s radioactivity is generally harmless, it may be harmful if exposed to excessive amounts over a long period of time. This may lead to a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood, thus causing anaemia. Therefore, when exposed to bismuth and its compounds, protective measures should be taken to minimise the duration of exposure.
Overall, the toxicity of bismuth arises mainly from its heavy metal properties and its interaction with substances in living organisms. When using bismuth-containing drugs or coming into contact with bismuth and its compounds, one should strictly follow the instructions of a doctor or the relevant safety procedures, and avoid blindly using large quantities or prolonged exposure to avoid bismuth poisoning. At the same time, people who may be exposed to bismuth should undergo regular health check-ups to detect and deal with bismuth poisoning in a timely manner.

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