Re: are there any other metals that interfere with enzyme systems besides lead

Well, the short answer is yes.  There are a variety of metals that can 
cause toxic reactions in biological systems.  These can include mercury, 
arsenic, and cadmium. Some heavy metals, such as zinc, copper, chromium, 
iron, and manganese, are required by the body in small amounts, but these 
same elements can be toxic in larger quantities.


You have to realize that toxicity is really a question of dose, time and 
route into the body.  Asbestos on your skin is not as much of a problem as 
asbestos in your lungs, for instance.  Typically what happens in a case of 
heavy metal poisoning is that the toxic elements displace the needed 
elements in a system, and the system then doesn't function correctly.  
People can be exposed to these toxic metals in their food, the air, the 
workplace, and in soil and water.  

Blood and urine tests are usually used to determine the presence of a 
toxic metal.  In the case of lead poisoning, lead levels of 80 ug/dl are 
usually an indicator of a toxic event taking place.

Therapy is usually done with a chelator (a substance used to bind up the 
offending materila).  Then, that chelator-toxin complex can be excreted by 
the body.  Take note that chelation therapy does nothing to repair damage 
already done.  It only halts the acute toxic process.