Toxological studies have shown that heavy metal poisoning damages every system of the body. Inacute poisoning, ingested heavy metals cause clear damage to the digestive system, producing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, colic or melanosis. Inhaled in the lungs, they can cause necrotic bronchitis, tuberculosis or pneumoatothorax. In chronic poisoning, the central nervous system and the hematopoietic system are especially sensitive.
重金屬中毒經毒物學之研究，其作用機轉為對細胞內硫氫基之抑制，因此全身各系統都受害，急性中毒時，對腸胃道傷害明顯，造成噁心、嘔吐、金屬味、腹潟、腹絞痛、黑便，吸入肺中可造成環死性支氣管炎、肺炎、肺水腫、氣胸；慢性中毒時，中樞神經系統與造血系統尤其敏感。