Germanium (72,61 a.m.u.) potentially toxic IVth group element. Intaken by the body with food (quite high concentration in garlic, fish, boltings, vegetables, seeds, mushrooms, ginseng root). Easily absorbed and quite homogenously distributed in organs in tissues, excreted mostly with urine. In manufacturing is mostly used in fibre and infrared optics, organic synthesis (including polyethylene manufacturing), electronics (semiconductors).
Germanium compounds are potentially hazardous to human health. Acute toxicity of germanium to human is low, but the lethal cases of intoxication with food supplements, containing organic and non-organic compounds of germanium are reported
Manifestations of chronic germanium intoxication are reported as consequences of long-lasting intake of germanium in food supplements popular in Japan in 1970-ties and later in other countries, as “health elixir” for several diseases (e.g. cancer, AIDS). Cases of kidney diseases together with germanium accumulation and signs of kidney tubules degeneration with slow and partial recovery of kidney function after termination of intake of germanium, are also reported. Other adverse events included anaemia, muscular weakness, peripheral neuropathy. Clinical efficiency of germanium food supplements is not proven.
