Toxicity antimony

The toxicity of Sb is a function of the water solubility and the oxidation state of the Sb species under consideration. Antimony toxicity often parallels that of arsenic, although antimony salts are less readily absorbed than arsenic. It is presumed that antimony, like arsenic, complexes with sulfhydryl groups of essential enzymes and other proteins. By analogy, antimony can uncouple oxidative phosphorylation, which would inhibit the production of energy necessary for cellular functions. Antimony s trivalent compounds are more toxic than its pentavalent compounds. 

Antimony and its compounds are considered as pollutants of priority interest (USEPA 1999). The mechanisms of antimony toxicity seem to include interactions with functional — SH groups of glutathione and proteins (Sun et al. 2000). 

Shotyk W, Krachler M, Chen B (2006) Contamination of Canadian and European bottled waters with antimony from PET containers. J Environ Monit 8(2) 288-292 Sundar S, Chakravarty J (2010) Antimony toxicity. Int J Environ Res Public Health 7(12) 4267 277... 

It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. Antimony and many of its compounds are toxic. 

Toxicity. Antimony has been found not to be a carcinogen or to present any undue risk to the environment (9). However, because antimony compounds also contain minor amounts of arsenic which is a poison and a carcinogen, warning labels are placed on all packages of antimony trioxide. 

The self-ignition temperature of PVF film is 390°C. The limiting oxygen iadex (LOI) for PVF is 22.6% (98), which can be raised to 30% ia antimony oxide-modified film (99). Hydrogen fluoride and a mixture of aromatic and aUphatic hydrocarbons (100) are generated from the thermal degradation of PVF. Toxicity studies, ie, survival and time to iacapacitation, of polymers, ceUulosics (101,102), and airplane iaterior materials (103) expose... 

Health and Safety Aspects. The U.S. EPA has significantly reduced the aHowed levels of antimony compounds in drinking water causing a toxicity cloud over the viabHity of this class of stabilizers. Presently, antimony products are no longer aHowed for use as potable water pipe stabilizers pending completion of NSE International s review (28). Eor these reasons, the future of this stabilizer technology appears limited. 

Some elements found in body tissues have no apparent physiological role, but have not been shown to be toxic. Examples are mbidium, strontium, titanium, niobium, germanium, and lanthanum. Other elements are toxic when found in greater than trace amounts, and sometimes in trace amounts. These latter elements include arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, silver, zirconium, beryUium, and thallium. Numerous other elements are used in medicine in nonnutrient roles. These include lithium, bismuth, antimony, bromine, platinum, and gold (Eig. 1). The interactions of mineral nutrients with... 

Copper sulfate, in small amounts, activates the zinc dust by forming zinc—copper couples. Arsenic(III) and antimony(TTT) oxides are used to remove cobalt and nickel they activate the zinc and form intermetaUic compounds such as CoAs (49). Antimony is less toxic than arsenic and its hydride, stibine, is less stable than arsine and does not form as readily. Hydrogen, formed in the purification tanks, may give these hydrides and venting and surveillance is mandatory. The reverse antimony procedure gives a good separation of cadmium and cobalt. 

M One-Year Inhalation Toxicity Study ofMntimonj Trioxide in the Rat (with a One-year Recovery Period), Bio /dynamics Incorporated, East Millstone, N.J. submitted to Antimony Oxide Industry Association (AOIA), Feb. 9, 1990. 

Toxicological Profle for Antimony and Compounds, Syracuse Research Corporation, Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry, U.S. PubHc Health Services, under contract 205-88-0608, Oct. 1990. 

Antimony potassium tartrate (tartar emetic) has the advantage of being low in cost. It has been called the dmg of choice for Schistosoma japonicum infection (204) even though it fails to cure the disease in many patients. However, trivalent antimonials are no longer recommended for the treatment of helminthic infections because these compounds have an unacceptable toxicity and are too difficult to administer (205). 

Praziijuantel. This drug (1), C H24N202, can be used to treat schistosomiasis caused by any one of the three major species. Pra2iquantel is an acylated pyta2ino—isoquinoline derivative that has replaced the traditional (and more toxic) trivalent antimonial compounds. 

Antimony compounds have been used to treat leishmaniasis ever since tartar emetic (antimony potassium tartrate) was discovered early in the 20th century to have efficacy against the mucocutaneous form of the disease. The cutaneous form has been treated with tartar emetic formulated in an ointment. Many side effects have been seen with this trivalent antimonial, some of which can be ascribed to the difficulty of obtaining pure antimony for its manufacture. These side effects include toxicity to the heart, Hver, and kidneys. Other promising trivalent antimonials have been abandoned in favor of pentavalent antimonials with lower toxicity. 

Amphotericin B (15) is an antifimgal macioHde antibiotic produced by Streptomjces nodosus that has been used as an alternative, albeit more toxic, dmg to the antimonials. It acts as a leishmanicide against the visceral and mucocutaneous forms of the disease. To overcome its potentially severe nephrotoxicity, the dmg must be adrninistered over an extended period of time. 

The final ceU product contains 250—300 g/L H2SO in the last stages of electrolyte purification, and antimony and bismuth precipitate, resulting in heavily contaminated cathodes that are recycled through the smelter. Arsenic and hydrogen evolved at the cathodes at these later stages react to form arsine, and hoods must be provided to collect the toxic gas. 

There has been a revival of interest in recent years in antimony mercaptides as alternatives to the organo-tin stabilisers. This stems from the low level of toxicity and the strong synergism with calcium stearate. However, compared to the... 

Toxic inorganic substances e.g. Lead, manganese, cadmium, antimony, beryllium, mercury arsenic phosphorus selenium and sulphur compounds, fluorides. 

Formulations of this type have completely replaced earlier "strike anywhere matches based on (poi.sonous) white P4, sulfur, and KCIO3. though safety matches" still use a match head which is predominantly KCIO3 struck against the side of the match-box which has been covered with a paste of (non-toxic) red P (49.5%), antimony sulfide (27.6%). FeiOr (l.2%) and gum arabic (2I,7%). About lO" matches are used annually in the UK alone. 

Some heavy metals and semi-metals are quite toxic (chromium, lead, and antimony) and expensive care is needed to prevent them from being dispersed in the environment. Lead in gasoline and paint has been... 

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