| Agent Name |
Barium and soluble compounds |
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| CAS Number |
7440-39-3, varies |
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| Formula |
Ba, varies |
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| Major Category |
Metals |
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| Synonyms |
Barium (TSP); Elemental barium; Barium metal; Barium, elemental; [CHEMINFO] UN1400 |
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| Category |
Metals, Inorganic Compounds |
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| Description |
Elemental barium: a silver to white metallic solid; [CAMEO] |
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| Sources/Uses |
"The largest end use of barium is as a "getter" to remove the last traces of gases from vacuum and television picture tubes. It is also used to improve performance of lead alloy grids of acid batteries, as a component of grey and ductile irons, and in the manufacture of steel, copper and other metals." [HSDB] |
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| Comments |
Soluble barium compounds, such as barium carbonate, barium oxide, and barium nitrate, are more toxic than the insoluble barium sulfate. Concentrated solutions of barium oxide or barium hydroxide are strongly alkaline and corrosive to the skin and eyes. Soluble barium ion is a muscle poison that can cause respiratory arrest and ventricular fibrillation with a lethal dose of about 3-4 g. when absorbed by the gut. [ACGIH] A study of welders using consumable electrodes with high barium content 4 hours daily showed high levels of barium in the urine, but no discernable health effects. [Zschiesche W, Schaller KH, Weltle D. Exposure to Soluble Barium Compounds: An Interventional Study in Arc Welders. Int Arch Occup Envir Health. 1992; 64:13-23.] Ingestion of soluble barium compounds in high doses may induce acute renal failure. [Rosenstock, p. 575] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.5 mg/m3, as Ba |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
0.5 mg/m3, as Ba |
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| MAK |
0.5 mg/m3, as Ba, inhalable fraction(soluble compds) |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
50 mg/m3 |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: It has been reported that the lethal oral dose is 43 to 57 mg Ba/kg Reeve 1979]. [Note: An oral dose of 43 to 57 mg Ba/kg is equivalent to a 70-kg worker being exposed to 2,007 to 2,660 mg/m3 for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.] |
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| Half Life |
Blood: 18 hours (1.9 hours with hemodialysis); whole body: few days; [TDR, p. 145] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR - ToxFAQs - Barium |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Nephrotoxin |
Yes |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: BARIUM COMPOUNDS BARIUM, ELEMENTAL
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