The dithizone heavy metal reagent allows the detection of free heavy metal ions in bodily liquids like urine and saliva . By administering the test reagent as an exploratory measure, contaminations from amalgam fillings or from the environment (cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, manganese, nickel and cobalt - pointing to infections, organ or system disorders) can be identified on the spot, the potential health problem, as well as the need for detoxification before any specific therapy is administered.
The test reagent is therefore an important aid in the decision making process during the initial evaluation and detoxification therapies, recommended as urgent and necessary counter-measures, can be monitored with the test reagent administered.
The dithizone reagent can also be used to determine the environmental sources of the contamination in aqueous solutions such as tap water and since all heavy metal ions are water soluble, solids like food items, porcelain dishes, dust samples from carpets, wall paints and wall paper etc. can be tested for heavy metals by soaking them in distilled water beforehand.
In other words, in addition to being a diagnostic tool for urine and saliva, the reagent is also useful to find contamination causes in the patient's environment." Source: