chelation

[ kee-ley-shuhn ]

noun

1. Chemistry. the process of chelating.
2. Medicine/Medical.
   1. a method of removing certain heavy metals from the bloodstream, used especially in treating lead or mercury poisoning.
   2. a controversial treatment for arteriosclerosis that attempts to remove calcium deposits from the inner walls of the coronary arteries.

chelation

/ ˈkiːleɪʃən /

noun

1. chem the process by which a chelate is formed
2. animal husbandry the process by which trace elements in an animal's feed are bonded to amino acids, ensuring their absorption into the animal's body
3. geology the chemical removal of metallic ions in a mineral or rock by weathering

chelation

/ kĭ-lā′shən /

1. The combination of a metal ion with a chemical compound to form a ring. Chelation is used in the industrial separation and extraction of metals and to treat metal poisoning.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chelation¹

First recorded in 1930–35; chelate + -ion

Example Sentences

One avenue is working on the chemistry of the chelation compound in anticipation of eventually making sure it is safe to be given to humans.

From Seattle Times

Lead poisoning can be treated with chelation, a therapy that uses drugs that bind to metals in blood to remove them from the body.

From Seattle Times

Any bird found to have lead in its system can be treated through a blood-filtering process called chelation.

From Salon

When her symptoms were still not improving, Workman stopped the chelation and began an alternative treatment.

From Washington Post

Bluebird has rationalized the high price of Zynteglo by referring to the lifetime cost of transfusions and chelation therapy, which the company says can run as high as $6.4 million.

From Los Angeles Times