__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________ 

PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Zinc 

CAS#: 7440-66-6 

Division of Toxicology August 2005 

This Public Health Statement is the summary 

chapter from the Toxicological Profile for Zinc. It 

is one in a series of Public Health Statements about 

hazardous substances and their health effects. A 

shorter version, the ToxFAQsTM, is also available. 

This information is important because this 

substance may harm you. The effects of exposure 

to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the 

duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and 

habits, and whether other chemicals are present. 

For more information, call the ATSDR Information 

Center at 1-888-422-8737. 

This public health statement tells you about zinc 

and the effects of exposure to it. Zinc is an essential 

element needed by your body and is commonly 

found in nutritional supplements. However, taking 

too much zinc into the body can affect your health. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in 

the nation. These sites are then placed on the 

National Priorities List (NPL) and are targeted for 

long-term federal clean-up activities. Zinc has been 

found in at least 985 of the 1,662 current or former 

NPL sites. Although the total number of NPL sites 

evaluated for zinc is not known, the possibility 

exists that the number of sites at which zinc is found 

may increase in the future as more sites are 

evaluated. This information is important because 

these sites may be sources of exposure and exposure 

to zinc may harm you. 

When a substance is released either from a large 

area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, 

such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. 

Such a release does not always lead to exposure. 

You can be exposed to a substance only when you 

come in contact with it. You may be exposed by 

breathing, eating, or drinking the substance, or by 

skin contact. 

If you are exposed to zinc, many factors will 

determine whether you will be harmed. These 

factors include the dose (how much), the duration 

(how long), and how you come in contact with it. 

You must also consider any other chemicals you are 

exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, 

lifestyle, and state of health. 

1.1 WHAT IS ZINC? 

Zinc is one of the most common elements in the 

Earth's crust. Zinc is found in the air, soil, and 

water and is present in all foods. In its pure 

elemental (or metallic) form, zinc is a bluish-white, 

shiny metal. Powdered zinc is explosive and may 

burst into flames if stored in damp places. Metallic 

zinc has many uses in industry. A common use for 

zinc is to coat steel and iron as well as other metals 

to prevent rust and corrosion; this process is called 

galvanization. Metallic zinc is also mixed with 

other metals to form alloys such as brass and 

bronze. A zinc and copper alloy is used to make 

pennies in the United States. Metallic zinc is also 

used to make dry cell batteries. 

Zinc can also combine with other elements, such as 

chlorine, oxygen, and sulfur, to form zinc 

compounds. Zinc compounds that may be found at 

hazardous waste sites are zinc chloride, zinc oxide, 

zinc sulfate, and zinc sulfide. Most zinc ore found 

naturally in the environment is in the form of zinc 

sulfide. Zinc compounds are widely used in 

industry. Zinc sulfide and zinc oxide are used to 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 
__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Zinc 

CAS#: 7440-66-6 

Division of Toxicology August 2005 

make white paints, ceramics, and other products. 

Zinc oxide is also used in producing rubber. Zinc 

compounds, such as zinc acetate, zinc chloride, and 

zinc sulfate, are used in preserving wood and in 

manufacturing and dyeing fabrics. Zinc chloride is 

also the major ingredient in smoke from smoke 

bombs. Zinc compounds are used by the drug 

industry as ingredients in some common products, 

such as vitamin supplements, sun blocks, diaper 

rash ointments, deodorants, athlete's foot 

preparations, acne and poison ivy preparations, and 

antidandruff shampoos. 

1.2 WHAT HAPPENS TO ZINC WHEN IT 

ENTERS THE ENVIRONMENT? 

Zinc enters the air, water, and soil as a result of both 

natural processes and human activities. Most zinc 

enters the environment as the result of mining, 

purifying of zinc, lead, and cadmium ores, steel 

production, coal burning, and burning of wastes. 

These activities can increase zinc levels in the 

atmosphere. Waste streams from zinc and other 

metal manufacturing and zinc chemical industries, 

domestic waste water, and run-off from soil 

containing zinc can discharge zinc into waterways. 

The level of zinc in soil increases mainly from 

disposal of zinc wastes from metal manufacturing 

industries and coal ash from electric utilities. 

Sludge and fertilizer also contribute to increased 

levels of zinc in the soil. In air, zinc is present 

mostly as fine dust particles. This dust eventually 

settles over land and water. Rain and snow aid in 

removing zinc from air. Most of the zinc in lakes or 

rivers settles on the bottom. However, a small 

amount may remain either dissolved in water or as 

fine suspended particles. The level of dissolved 

zinc in water may increase as the acidity of water 

increases. Fish can collect zinc in their bodies from 

the water they swim in and from the food they eat. 

Most of the zinc in soil is bound to the soil and does 

not dissolve in water. However, depending on the 

type of soil, some zinc may reach groundwater, and 

contamination of groundwater has occurred from 

hazardous waste sites. Zinc may be taken up by 

animals eating soil or drinking water containing 

zinc. Zinc is also a trace mineral nutrient and as 

such, small amounts of zinc are needed in all 

animals. 

1.3 HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO ZINC? 

Zinc is an essential element needed by your body in 

small amounts. We are exposed to zinc compounds 

in food. The average daily zinc intake through the 

diet in this country ranges from 5.2 to 

16.2 milligrams (milligram=0.001 gram). Food 

may contain levels of zinc ranging from 

approximately 2 parts of zinc per million (2 ppm) 

parts of foods (e.g., leafy vegetables) to 29 ppm 

(meats, fish, poultry). Zinc is also present in most 

drinking water. Drinking water or other beverages 

may contain high levels of zinc if they are stored in 

metal containers or flow through pipes that have 

been coated with zinc to resist rust. If you take 

more than the recommended daily amount of 

supplements containing zinc, you may have higher 

levels of zinc exposure. 

In general, levels of zinc in air are relatively low 

and fairly constant. Average levels of zinc in the air 

throughout the United States are less than 

1 microgram of zinc per cubic meter (μg/m3

) of air, 

but range from 0.1 to 1.7 μg/m3

 in areas near cities. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 
__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Zinc 

CAS#: 7440-66-6 

Division of Toxicology August 2005 

Air near industrial areas may have higher levels of 

zinc. The average zinc concentration for a 1-year 

period was 5 μg/m3

 in one area near an industrial 

source. 

In addition to background exposure that all of us 

experience, about 150,000 people also have a 

source of occupational exposure to zinc that might 

elevate their total exposure significantly above the 

average background exposure. Jobs where people 

are exposed to zinc include zinc mining, smelting, 

and welding; manufacture of brass, bronze, or other 

zinc-containing alloys; manufacture of galvanized 

metals; and manufacture of machine parts, rubber, 

paint, linoleum, oilcloths, batteries, some kinds of 

glass and ceramics, and dyes. People at 

construction jobs, automobile mechanics, and 

painters are also exposed to zinc. 

1.4 HOW CAN ZINC ENTER AND LEAVE 

MY BODY? 

Zinc can enter the body through the digestive tract 

when you eat food or drink water containing it. 

Zinc can also enter through your lungs if you inhale 

zinc dust or fumes from zinc-smelting or zincwelding operations on your job. The amount of 

zinc that passes directly through the skin is 

relatively small. The most likely route of exposure 

near NPL waste sites is through drinking water 

containing a high amount of zinc. Zinc is stored 

throughout the body. Zinc increases in blood and 

bone most rapidly after exposure. Zinc may stay in 

the bone for many days after exposure. Normally, 

zinc leaves the body in urine and feces. 

1.5 HOW CAN ZINC AFFECT MY HEALTH? 

Scientists use many tests to protect the public from 

harmful effects of toxic chemicals and to find ways 

for treating persons who have been harmed. 

One way to learn whether a chemical will harm 

people is to determine how the body absorbs, uses, 

and releases the chemical. For some chemicals, 

animal testing may be necessary. Animal testing 

may also help identify health effects such as cancer 

or birth defects. Without laboratory animals, 

scientists would lose a basic method for getting 

information needed to make wise decisions that 

protect public health. Scientists have the 

responsibility to treat research animals with care 

and compassion. Scientists must comply with strict 

animal care guidelines because laws today protect 

the welfare of research animals. 

Inhaling large amounts of zinc (as zinc dust or 

fumes from smelting or welding) can cause a 

specific short-term disease called metal fume fever, 

which is generally reversible once exposure to zinc 

ceases. However, very little is known about the 

long-term effects of breathing zinc dust or fumes. 

Taking too much zinc into the body through food, 

water, or dietary supplements can also affect health. 

The levels of zinc that produce adverse health 

effects are much higher than the Recommended 

Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for zinc of 11 mg/day 

for men and 8 mg/day for women. If large doses of 

zinc (10–15 times higher than the RDA) are taken 

by mouth even for a short time, stomach cramps, 

nausea, and vomiting may occur. Ingesting high 

levels of zinc for several months may cause anemia, 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 
__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Zinc 

CAS#: 7440-66-6 

Division of Toxicology August 2005 

damage the pancreas, and decrease levels of highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. 

Eating food containing very large amounts of zinc 

(1,000 times higher than the RDA) for several 

months caused many health effects in rats, mice, 

and ferrets, including anemia and injury to the 

pancreas and kidney. Rats that ate very large 

amounts of zinc became infertile. Rats that ate very 

large amounts of zinc after becoming pregnant had 

smaller babies. Putting low levels of certain zinc 

compounds, such as zinc acetate and zinc chloride, 

on the skin of rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice caused 

skin irritation. Skin irritation from exposure to 

these chemicals would probably occur in humans. 

EPA has determined that because of lack of 

information, zinc is not classifiable as to its human 

carcinogenicity. 

Consuming too little zinc is at least as important a 

health problem as consuming too much zinc. 

Without enough zinc in the diet, people may 

experience loss of appetite, decreased sense of taste 

and smell, decreased immune function, slow wound 

healing, and skin sores. Too little zinc in the diet 

may also cause poorly developed sex organs and 

retarded growth in young men. If a pregnant 

woman does not get enough zinc, her babies may 

have birth defects. 

1.6 HOW CAN ZINC AFFECT CHILDREN? 

This section discusses potential health effects in 

humans from exposures during the period from 

conception to maturity at 18 years of age. 

Zinc is essential for proper growth and development 

of young children. Mothers who did not eat enough 

zinc during pregnancy had a higher frequency of 

birth defects and gave birth to smaller children 

(lower birth weight) than mothers whose zinc levels 

were sufficient. Very young children who did not 

receive enough zinc in the diet were smaller, both in 

length and in body weight, than children who ate 

enough zinc. Some foods, such as soy-based 

formulas, contain high levels of phytate, which can 

result in a decreased absorption of zinc in the diet. 

Too much of these foods may result in effects 

similar to those that occur when children receive too 

little zinc in the diet. 

Little is known about whether children who eat too 

much zinc will react differently from adults who 

have ingested large amounts of zinc. A child who 

accidentally drank a large amount of a caustic zinc 

solution was found to have damage to his mouth 

and stomach, and later to his pancreas, but similar 

effects have been seen in adults who accidentally 

drank the same solution. 

1.7 HOW CAN FAMILIES REDUCE THE 

RISK OF EXPOSURE TO ZINC 

If your doctor finds that you have been exposed to 

substantial amounts of zinc, ask whether your 

children might also have been exposed. Your 

doctor might need to ask your state health 

department to investigate. 

Children living near waste sites containing zinc are 

likely to be exposed to higher environmental levels 

of zinc through breathing, drinking contaminated 

drinking water, touching soil, and eating 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 
__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Zinc 

CAS#: 7440-66-6 

Division of Toxicology August 2005 

contaminated soil. It is unlikely that a child would 

ingest enough zinc from eating soil to cause harmful 

effects. However, parents should supervise to see 

that children avoid eating soil and wash their hands 

frequently, especially before eating. Parents should 

consult their family physicians about whether (and 

how) hand-to-mouth behaviors in their children 

might be discouraged. 

Children and adults require a certain amount of zinc 

in the diet in order to remain healthy. However, 

overuse of some medicines or vitamin supplements 

containing zinc might be harmful; these medicines 

should always be used appropriately. If you are 

accidentally exposed to large amounts of zinc, 

consult a physician immediately. 

1.8 IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO 

DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN 

EXPOSED TO ZINC? 

Medical tests can determine whether your body 

fluids contain high levels of zinc. Samples of blood 

or feces can be collected in a doctor's office and 

sent to a laboratory that can measure zinc levels. It 

is easier for most laboratories to measure zinc in 

blood than in feces. The presence of high levels of 

zinc in the feces can mean recent high zinc 

exposure. High levels of zinc in the blood can 

mean high zinc consumption and/or high exposure. 

High zinc levels in blood or feces reflect the level of 

exposure to zinc. Measuring zinc levels in urine 

and saliva also may provide information about zinc 

exposure. Tests to measure zinc in hair may 

provide information on long-term zinc exposure; 

however, no useful correlation has been found 

between hair zinc levels and zinc exposure and 

these tests are not routinely used. Since zinc levels 

can be affected by dietary deficiency and cell stress, 

these results may not be directly related to current 

zinc exposure. 

1.9 WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE 

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO 

PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH? 

The federal government develops regulations and 

recommendations to protect public health. 

Regulations can be enforced by law. The EPA, the 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

(OSHA), and the Food and Drug Administration 

(FDA) are some federal agencies that develop 

regulations for toxic substances. Recommendations 

provide valuable guidelines to protect public health, 

but cannot be enforced by law. The Agency for 

Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 

and the National Institute for Occupational Safety 

and Health (NIOSH) are two federal organizations 

that develop recommendations for toxic substances. 

Regulations and recommendations can be expressed 

as “not-to-exceed” levels, that is, levels of a toxic 

substance in air, water, soil, or food that do not 

exceed a critical value that is usually based on 

levels that affect animals; they are then adjusted to 

levels that will help protect humans. Sometimes 

these not-to-exceed levels differ among federal 

organizations because they used different exposure 

times (an 8-hour workday or a 24-hour day), 

different animal studies, or other factors. 

Recommendations and regulations are also updated 

periodically as more information becomes available. 

For the most current information, check with the 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 
__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Zinc 

CAS#: 7440-66-6 

Division of Toxicology August 2005 

federal agency or organization that provides it. 

Some regulations and recommendations for zinc 

include the following: 

The federal government has set standards and 

guidelines to protect individuals from the potential 

health effects of excessive zinc. EPA has stated that 

drinking water should contain no more than 5 mg of 

zinc per liter of water (5 mg/L or 5 ppm) because of 

taste. Furthermore, any release of more than 

1,000 pounds (or in some cases 5,000 pounds) of 

zinc or its compounds into the environment (i.e., 

water, soil, or air) must be reported to EPA. 

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) 

estimates an RDA for zinc of 11 mg/day (men). 

Eleven mg/day is the same as 0.16 mg per kilogram 

(kg) of body weight per day for an average adult 

male (70 kg). An RDA of 8 mg/day, or 0.13 mg per 

kg of body weight for an average adult female 

(60 kg), was established for women because they 

usually weigh less than men. Lower zinc intake 

was recommended for infants (2–3 mg/day) and 

children (5–9 mg/day) because of their lower 

average body weights. The RDA provides a level 

of adequate nutritional status for most of the 

population. Extra dietary levels of zinc are 

recommended for women during pregnancy and 

lactation. An RDA of 11–12 mg/day was set for 

pregnant women. Women who nurse their babies 

need 12–13 mg/day. 

To protect workers, OSHA has set an average legal 

limit of 1 mg/m3

 for zinc chloride fumes and 

5 mg/m3

 for zinc oxide (dusts and fumes) in 

workplace air during an 8-hour workday, 40-hour 

work week. This regulation means that the 

workroom air should contain no more than an 

average of 1 mg/m3

 of zinc chloride over an 8-hour 

working shift of a 40-hour work week. NIOSH 

similarly recommends that the level of zinc oxide in 

workplace air should not exceed an average of 

1 mg/m3 over a 10-hour period of a 40-hour work 

week. 

1.10 WHERE CAN I GET MORE 

INFORMATION? 

If you have any more questions or concerns, please 

contact your community or state health or 

environmental quality department, your regional 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission office, or contact 

ATSDR at the address and phone number below. 

ATSDR can also tell you the location of 

occupational and environmental health clinics. 

These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, 

and treating illnesses resulting from exposure to 

hazardous substances. 

Toxicological profiles are also available on-line at 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov and on CD-ROM. You may 

request a copy of the ATSDR ToxProfiles 

CD-ROM by calling the information and technical 

assistance toll-free number at 1-888-42ATSDR 

(1-888-422-8737), by email at atsdric@cdc.gov, or 

by writing to: 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

Division of Toxicology 

1600 Clifton Road NE 

 Mailstop F-32 

Atlanta, GA 30333 

 Fax: 1-770-488-4178 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov 
__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Zinc 

CAS#: 7440-66-6 

Division of Toxicology August 2005 

For-profit organizations may request a copy of final 

profiles from the following: 

National Technical Information Service (NTIS) 

5285 Port Royal Road 

Springfield, VA 22161 

Phone: 1-800-553-6847 or 1-703-605-6000 

Web site: http://www.ntis.gov/ 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-888-422-8737 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: atsdric@cdc.gov