Abstract

LOPEZ LANUZA, Alejandra; MATEOS NAVA, Rodrigo Aníbal; ALVAREZ BARRERA, Lucila  and  RODRIGUEZ MERCADO, Juan José. Interesting metals of family III A: Pollution, toxicokinetic and genotoxicity of gallium, indium, and thallium. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2023, vol.39, 54784.  Epub Sep 01, 2023. ISSN 0188-4999.  https://doi.org/10.20937/rica.54784.

Gallium (Ga), indium (In) and thallium (Tl) are three metals belonging to the group 13 (IIIA) of the periodic table of chemical elements and due to their many industrial, technological, agricultural, and medical applications, their presence has been increased in the environment and ecosystems. However, none of them have any recognized biological functions. The present review was carried out with the purpose of compiling the available information on contamination, human exposure, toxicokinetic and genotoxicity associated with Ga, In and Tl in their +3 oxidation state (in mammalian). Ga3+, In3+ and Tl3+ have particular properties that influence their mechanism of action, such as chemical composition, solubility and particle size; which in turn influence their associated toxicity. Several of their effects are associated with the exposure route, their absorption and entry into the cell, the ability to unbalance oxidant-antioxidant homeostasis, alter molecular functions and generate cell toxicity, as well as the ability to generate damage to biomolecules, including DNA. In general, the studies carried out on Ga3+, In3+ and Tl3+ show that they can induce several adverse effects that can have an impact on human health.

Keywords : metal toxicity; human exposure; exposure limits; cytotoxicity; mutagenicity; mechanisms of action.