What is the main treatment approach for heavy metal toxicity?

• A. Chelation therapy
• B. Activated charcoal
• C. Dialysis
• D. Immunotherapy

Answer: (A)

Chelation therapy—the use of agents that bind heavy metals to form water-soluble complexes that are excreted from the body—is the main approach to heavy metal toxicity. This directly lowers the metal burden by mobilizing metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium so they can be eliminated in urine or feces. The specific chelator is chosen based on the metal and clinical situation (for example, calcium disodium EDTA or dimercaprol for lead; dimercaprol or DMSA for other metals; deferoxamine for iron). Activated charcoal mainly acts in the gut and does not reliably remove metals once absorbed. Dialysis can help in certain scenarios (e.g., renal failure or very high toxin levels) but is not the primary method because many metals are tissue-bound and require chelation to be mobilized. Immunotherapy has no role here.