Cesium is a
naturally-occurring element found in rocks, soil and dust at low
concentrations. It is present in the environment only in the stable
form of 133 Cesium (the radioactive isotopes 134 Cesium and 137
Cesium are usually
not measured or reported). Cesium can be absorbed after oral
ingestion, upon breathing contaminated air and through contact with
the skin. Cesium is readily absorbed across the brush border of the
intestines in a manner similar to potassium and most is eventually
excreted through the urine and feces. The biological half life of
Cesium in humans ranges from 15 days in infants to 100-150 days in adults.
Target organs of Cesium toxicity are the liver, intestine, heart,
and kidneys. Physiological effects of Cesium include ventricular
arrhythmias and displacement of potassium from muscle and
erythrocytes.
Cesium can
have significant effects on both the central and peripheral nervous
systems. Cesium may cause epileptic seizures because it can share
the same receptor as the inhibitory neurotransmitter amino acid
glycine. Cesium can interfere with active ion transport by blocking
potassium channels and also can interfere with lipid metabolism.
Cesium
may modify plasma membrane integrity, alter cytoplasmic components
and cause cell damage. It is unlikely that children or adults would be exposed to
enough 133 Cesium to experience any health effects that could be related
to the stable cesium itself. Animals given very large doses of
cesium compounds have shown changes in behavior, such as increased
activity or decreased activity, but it is highly unlikely that a
human would be exposed to enough stable cesium to cause similar
effects.
Cesium is not
used extensively in industry but some uses are in the production of
photoelectric cells, vacuum tubes, spectrographic instruments,
scintillation counters and various optical and detecting devices. In
biochemistry, cesium chloride is used to extract DNA from cells.
The isotope 137 Cesium is used in radiation therapy for certain
types of cancer. Other medical uses of Cesium are monitoring left
ventricular function with 137 Cesium iodide probes and monitoring
pulmonary (lung) endothelial permeability with 137 Cesium iodide crystal
mini-detectors. It is emphasized that cesium measured
is 133 Cesium, not 137 Cesium. Environmental contamination by 137
Cesium as a result of radioactive fallout could be a major concern, however,
little data is available on this matter.
Blood testing is
not an accurate indicators of tissue levels of Cesium. Here at
Chelation Medical Center we can do a provoked challenge, with a
urine collection which will show your total body load of Cesium, as
well as other heavy metals. Just give us a call.
