Fact box

Barium atoms have 56 electrons and the shell structure is 2.8. The ground state electronic configuration of neutral barium is [Xe]. …

Barium sulfate (BaSO4), a common barium compound, is used as a filler for rubber, plastics and resins. Stones made from impure barium sulfate glow when exposed to light and will glow in the dark for up to six years if intensely heated in the presence of charcoal.

The abundance of barium is 0.0425% in the Earth’s crust and 13 μg/L in sea water. The primary commercial source of barium is baryte (also called barytes or heavy spar), a barium sulfate mineral.

Some foods, such as Brazil nuts, seaweed, fish, and certain plants, may contain high amounts of barium. The amount of barium found in food and water usually is not high enough to be a health concern.

Barium sulfate is in a class of medications called radiopaque contrast media. It works by coating the esophagus, stomach, or intestine with a material that is not absorbed into the body so that diseased or damaged areas can be clearly seen by x-ray examination or CT scan.

Filtration can also be used to remove barium from water. Sulfuric acid is used to precipitate BaSO4. The precipitate can be coagulated and filtered out of the water. DuPont™ Ultrafiltration SFD Modules can facilitate low levels of barium-containing particles in the final drinking water.

Barium is released to water and soil in the discharge and disposal of drilling wastes, from the smelting of copper, and the manufacture of motor vehicle parts and accessories. The health effects of the different barium compounds depend on how well the compound dissolves in water.

Barium concentrations in water may be determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy using either direct aspiration into an air–acetylene flame (detection limit 2 µg/litre) or atomization in a furnace (detection limit 100 µg/litre) (US EPA, 1985a).

Pure barium is a soft, silvery white metal. Classified as an alkaline earth metal, it is located in group, or column, 2 on the periodic table, along with beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and radium.

How do I prepare for a barium swallow test?

1. Your healthcare provider will explain the barium swallow test to you.
2. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives permission to do the swallowing test.
3. You will need to stop eating and drinking for about 8 hours before the swallowing test.

Barium reacts violently with WATER and MOIST AIR to generate flammable and explosive Hydrogen gas.

When magnesium interacts with water, it will form a hydrogen gas that ignites violently due to the excessive heat and oxygen supply. When it reacts, it will burn hot enough to decrease the water molecule, which turns to a Hydrogen Gas.

Barium is a soft metallic element. In its pure form, it is silvery white. The metal oxidizes readily and should be stored under petroleum or other oxygen-free liquids.

Barium poisonings are uncommon and usually result from accidental contamination of food sources, suicidal ingestion, or occupational inhalation exposure. Accidental mass poisoning has occurred owing to the addition of barium carbonate to flour and the contamination of table salt.

Ingestion of certain forms of barium (e.g., barium carbonate or barium fluoride) in toxic amounts can lead to gastrointestinal signs and symptoms (e.g., vomiting, abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea).

You should drink lots of fluids and eat high-fiber foods to help move the barium through your digestive tract and out of your body. If that doesn’t help, your doctor might give you a laxative to help move it through.

Bais considered as elements with a high toxic potency for human and animal organisms. Barium directly stimulates all types of muscles, including cardiac muscle, and causes a profound reduction in serum potassium together with an increase in intracellular potassium [88].

Barium toxicosis can cause life-threatening hypokalemia; however, prompt supportive treatment can yield excellent outcomes. Barium toxicosis is a rare but important differential diagnosis in animals with hypokalemia and appropriate clinical signs.

Acute barium poisoning is not commonly seen in clinical practice and this is primarily due to the ingestion of barium salt or food containing barium salt. In addition, soluble barium salt can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, which makes it difficult to diagnose [2].

Barium, a heavy divalent alkaline metal, has long been known to cause human toxicity. The common mode is accidental ingestion and the common compound is Barium carbonate.