Barium health hazards

Some additives can contain certain heavy metals or their ions, for different purposes, (e.g., stabilisers used in PVC window profiles and pipes, which are mostly lead-hased or barium/cadmium/zinc compounds, in addition to a number of organonickel compounds used for UV stabilisation). These can pose health hazards if they migrate out of the system. 

Some plastics additives, such as phthalates, bisphenol-A (BPA), and nonylphenols, present as plasticisers, can evaporate indoors and can be inhaled i.e., oestrogenic butyl benzyl phthalate is found in most vinyl floor tiles, adhesives, and synthetic leathers, and bisphenol-A is a breakdown product and plasticiser of polycarbonate (PC) mainly used as glazing material. In addition to plasticisers, there are also other additives used in plastics and rubbers i.e., stabilisers used in PVC window profiles and pipes are mostly lead-based, or they can be either barium/cadmium/zinc compounds. All of these can pose serious health hazards if they are above certain concentrations in the air, through evaporation from the system. Increase of temperature indoors speeds up this evaporation process. 

In addition to plasticisers, there are a number of different additives used for different purposes, i.e., stabilisers used in PVC window profiles and pipes are mostly lead-based, or they can be either barium/cadmium/or zinc compounds. All of these can pose a health hazard if they migrate out of the system above certain concentrations. 

As indicated in Table 7.6, all hazardous chemicals in electric arc furnace dust are assumed to induce deterministic responses. The possible responses include renal toxicity, effects on the cardiovascular system, dermal or ocular effects, decrease in body weight, hepatic toxicity, and respiratory toxicity. Decrease in body weight is not a response in a particular organ but is assumed to be a health effect of concern. All deterministic responses are assumed to be induced by more than one chemical in the waste. Furthermore, some of the chemicals (barium, beryllium, chromium, and lead) are assumed to induce all responses. 

On the other hand, all the organic solvents used are either flammable or toxic or expensive. Some are poisonous, or hazardous to health, and others dissolve, or cause feathering in, dyes and inks used on paper. Substances such as magnesium acetate, barium hydroxide, cyclohexylamine and its carbonate and acetate and magnesium methoxide have been tested for their safety and effectiveness. 

If you are exposed to a hazardous substance such as barium, several factors will determine whether harmful health effects will occur and what the type and severity of those health effects will be. These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), the route or pathway by which you are exposed (breathing, eating, drinking, or skin contact), the other chemicals to which you are exposed, and your individual characteristics such as age, sex, nutritional status, family traits, life style, and state of health. 

NIOSH/OSHA. 1978. Occupational health guidelines for chemical hazards Soluble barium compounds (as barium). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 

The highest exposures occur occupationally. The National Occupational Hazard Survey conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health from 1972 through 1974 concluded that some 2.5 million workers could be exposed to chromium and its compounds in the workplace. The National Occupational Exposure Survey conducted a decade later from 1981 through 1983 estimated a total of almost 200 000 workers were exposed to hexavalent chromium compounds (barium chromate, calcium chromate, chromium trioxide, lead chromate, strontium chromate, and zinc chromate). Occupational exposure occurs primarily from stainless steel production and welding, chromate production, chrome plating, ferrochrome alloys, chrome pigment and tanning industries. 

Toxicology OSHA PEL/TWA 1000 ppm simple asphyxiant narcotic in high cones. overexposure may cause dizziness, disorientation, excitation liq. propane may cause frostbite to skin and eyes TSCA listed Precaution Flamm. dangerous fire hazard exposed to heat, flame explosive limits in air 2.4-9.5% vigorously reactive with oxidizers explosive as vapor exposed to heat or flame explosive with CIO2 violent exothermic reaction with barium peroxide, heat Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes NFPA Health 1, Flammability 4, Reactivity 0... 

Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Oxides of sulfur, oxides of barium HMIS Health 1, Flammability 0, Reactivity 0... 

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