Barium and its Compounds

One death in an adult female due to acute intravasation of barium sulfate during a barium enema was found in the literature. Direct entry of barium sulfate into the circulatory system apparently resulted in cardiorespiratory failure (Cove and Snyder 1974). Acute parenteral administration of barium compounds to animals has resulted in death. Rate of administration, total dose, species, and individual differences are all factors affecting the ability of barium and its compounds to cause death. Major symptoms leading to death are hypokalemia (Jalinski et al. 1967 Roza and Berman 1971 Schott and McArdle 1974), muscle paralysis (Roza and Berman 1971 Schott and McArdle 1974), cardiorespiratory failure (Cove and Snyder 1974 Roza and Berman 1971), and convulsions (Segreti... 

It reacts with several other elements to form commercially-important salts. The chemical formula, structure, synonyms, and identification numbers for barium and its compounds are listed in Table 3-1. 

Important physical and chemical properties of barium and its compounds are listed in Table 3-2. 

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is the most prevalent analytical technique for measuring low levels of barium and its compounds (i.e., barium carbonate, barium sulfate, and barium chloride) in air, water, waste water, geological materials (calcium carbonate), unused lubricating oil, and diagnostic meals containing barium sulfate (see Table 6-2). 

Other analytical techniques that have been employed for measuring barium and its compounds in environmental media include x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XFS), neutron activation analysis (NAA), scintillation spectroscopy, and spectrography (Boothe and James 1985 Landis and Coons 1954 Larsen 1973 Murata and Noguchi 1974 Oppenheimer et al. 1984). XFS and NAA methods are less sensitive than other available analytical methods for measuring barium or its compounds in environmental media. Scintillation spectroscopy and spectrography are less commonly used to measure barium in the environment relative to other analytical methods. 

No international regulations pertaining to barium and its compounds were found. The national and state regulations and guidelines regarding barium in air, water, and other media are summarized in Table 7-1. 

Miner S. 1969a. Air pollution aspects of barium and its compounds. Bethesda, MD Litton Systems, Inc Contract No. Ph-22-68-25, 69. 

Miner S. 1969b. Preliminary air pollution survey of barium and its compounds A literature review. Raleigh, NC US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service, Consumer Protection and Environmental Health Service, Consumer Air Pollution and Control Administration. Report No. APTD 69-28. 

CONSENSUS REPORTS Reported in EPA TSCA Inventory. Barium and its compounds are on the Community Right-To-Know List. 

CONSENSUS REPORTS lARC Cancer Review Group 1 IMEMDT 7,165,87 Animal Inadequate Evidence IMEMDT 2,100,73 Human Sufficient Evidence IMEMDT 23,205,80. Reported in EPA TSCA Inventory. Barium and its compounds are on the Community Right-To-Know List. 

Heavy spar (BaS04) used as a raw material for the manufacture of barium and its compounds... 

Yet the emphasis of investigations on barium is still toxicity rather than essentiality, although barium and its compounds are less toxic. Measurements of barium levels in the environment remain somewhat incomplete, and often contradictory. In Germany, a number of comparative studies have been conducted on both environmental and food samples during recent years. Although a decrease in barium concentrations has been demonstrated (Schliiter 1998, Jaritz 1998), the reasons for this remain unclear. 

The electron flux leaving the surface increases with increasing temperature and decreasing work function. Thermionic emission is the method used most frequently to produce electron beams. Table 5.7 gives the thermionic work function of several materials. Barium and its compounds (oxide and silicate) and cesium are used most frequently as cold cathodes, since large electron currents may be obtained from their surfaces even at low temperatures because of their work functions. 

Miner, S., "Air Pollution Aspects of Barium and Its Compounds," National Technical Information Service Document PB 188 083, 1969. 

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