Agent Name |
Barium and soluble compounds |
CAS Number |
7440-39-3; varies |
Formula |
Ba, varies |
Major Category |
Metals |
Synonyms |
Barium (TSP); Elemental barium; Barium metal; Barium, elemental; [CHEMINFO] UN1400 |
Category |
Metals, Inorganic Compounds |
Description |
Elemental barium: a silver to white metallic solid; [CAMEO] |
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] |
Comments |
The soluble salts are toxic: acetate, chloride, hydroxide, oxide, nitrate, and (poly)sulfide. Insoluble salts are rarely toxic: arsenate, chromate, fluroide, oxalate, and sulfate. In the gastric acid of the stomach, barium carbonate (insoluble) converts into barium chloride (soluble). Signs of barium poisoning are abdominal cramping, severe hypokalemia, and paralysis within 2 hours of ingestion. [Goldfrank, p. 1480-2] 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. [Reference #1] Ingestion of soluble barium compounds in high doses may induce acute renal failure. [Rosenstock, p. 575] |
Reference Link |
Exposure to soluble barium compounds: an intervent...[Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1992] - PubMed Result#http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1399010?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDo |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
TLV (ACGIH) |
0.5 mg/m3, as Ba |
PEL (OSHA) |
0.5 mg/m3, as Ba |
MAK |
0.5 mg/m3, as Ba, inhalable fraction(soluble compds) |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
50 mg/m3 |
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.] |
Half Life |
Blood: 18 hours (1.9 hours with hemodialysis); whole body: few days; [TDR, p. 145] |
Reference Link |
ATSDR - ToxFAQs - Barium |
Adverse Effects |
Nephrotoxin |
Yes |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: BARIUM COMPOUNDS BARIUM, ELEMENTAL
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