Zinc sulphate

Zinc Sulphate is an inorganic compound and dietary supplement. It is used to treat zinc deficiency and to prevent the condition in those at high risk. Side effects of excess supplementation may include abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, and tiredness.

Chemical Properties

Zinc Sulphate is a colorless, crystalline substance with the formula ZnSO4. It is highly soluble in water, with solubility of 57.7 g/100 mL at 25°C. It is also soluble in glycerol and slightly soluble in alcohol.

Uses

Zinc Sulphate is used in various industries and applications. In medicine, it is used as a dietary supplement to treat zinc deficiency. In agriculture, it is used as a fertilizer additive for preventing zinc deficiency in crops. It is also used in the production of rayon, as a preservative for skins and leather, and in the printing and dyeing industry.

Health Effects

Zinc is an essential mineral that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Zinc is also found in many cold lozenges and some over-the-counter drugs sold as cold remedies.

Zinc Sulphate is used to treat and to prevent zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency may lead to loss of appetite, impaired immune function, hair loss, diarrhea, delayed sexual maturation, impotence, and eye and skin lesions.

Safety

Zinc Sulphate is generally safe for most adults when applied to the skin, or when taken by mouth in amounts not larger than 40 mg daily. Routine zinc supplementation is not recommended without the advice of a healthcare professional. In some people, zinc might cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, metallic taste, kidney and stomach damage, and other side effects.

See Also

• Zinc
• Sulphate
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Dietary Supplement