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Barium

المؤلف:  Sue Jickells , Adam Negrusz (Editors)

المصدر:  Clarkes Analytical Forensic Toxicology

الجزء والصفحة:  104

2026-09-22

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Barium

The inorganic compounds of barium are widely used as pigments and glazes in industry and in the manufacture of paint, glass and ceramics. The insoluble sulfate salt is widely used as radio graphic contrast medium. Most (insoluble) barium salts are relatively nontoxic. However, pneumoconiosis related to the inhalation of barium dusts (baritosis) has been recognised in the mining industry. By contrast, the soluble salts of barium, particularly the carbonate and chloride, are extremely toxic if ingested orally or given intravenously. The oral fatal dose of soluble barium salts may be as little as 0.8 g. Signs and symptoms of barium poisoning may show within 1 to 2 hours of ingestion and include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and a tingling around the mouth. Severe hypokalaemia may also develop from a shift of extracellular potassium into muscle. This may cause cardiac rhythm disturbances, which require close monitoring, and the administration of potassium chloride intravenously to correct the hypokalaemia. Other useful investigations in cases of acute barium poisoning include radiography of the abdomen for the presence of radio-opaque material in the gut. Careful monitoring of serum potassium concentrations in any case of suspected barium poisoning is of vital importance. Reference concentrations of barium in plasma are<1 μg/L. Urine excretion is <20 lg/24 h. In nonfatal cases of barium poisoning, plasma barium concentrations of up to 8 mg/L have been reported (Boehnert et al. 1985).