EVALUATION OF ZINC AND COPPER TOXICITY CAUSED BY INGESTION OF TURKISH COINS: AN IN VITRO STUDY

Abstract

Coins are foreign objects that are commonly ingested by children and pets due to their shiny appearance and bright colors. The current study investigated whether Turkish coins can lead to zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) toxicity as a result of exposure to simulated gastric juice (i.e. hydrochloric acid solution simulating the gastric environment). Five groups of coins were exposed to simulated gastric juice (0.15 N, pH:1-2) for a period of 4 (Group 1), 12 (Group 2), 24 (Group 3), 48 (Group 4), 72 (Group 5) and 120 h (Group 5) at body temp. (37 degrees C). Zinc and copper levels were determined in the gastric acid solution by using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES). The coins were also evaluated for corrosive damage and weight loss. Group 5 had statistically higher Cu and Zn levels versus the other groups. However, at body temp. (37 degrees C), copper and zinc levels increased steadily in parallel to the duration for which the coin remained in the stomach after ingestion. After 120-hour exposure at 37 degrees C, all coins had various types of damage compared to the baseline, such as color alteration, erosion, and visible surface cavities. The mechanisms relating to local and systemic copper and zinc toxicity caused by coin ingestion is yet to be clarified for both Turkish and international coins. Therefore, it can be foreseen that intervention is required in the first 24 h after ingesting 5 kurus coins and, unless removed spontaneously in 48 h, such intervention is needed for the other coins.