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Journal of Environmental Management Jan 2023Barium slag (BS) is generated as a by-product waste during the production of barium salts from barite. A large amount of BS is discharged annually threating the... (Review)
Review
Barium slag (BS) is generated as a by-product waste during the production of barium salts from barite. A large amount of BS is discharged annually threating the ecological environment and restricting the development of the barium salts industry. In China, BS is classified as hazardous waste due to its corrosivity, and more importantly because of its extraction toxicity of barium. Soluble barium is toxic and can result in barium poisoning for environment and human beings. The current review presents a detailed summary on general characteristics, discharge and disposal status, harmless treatment pathways and comprehensive utilization of BS in China. BaO, SiO, CaO, and SO occur as main chemical compositions in BS, especially BaO accounting approximately for 35-40%. The mineral compositions include unreacted barite, quartz, clay minerals, newly-formed phases from the side reactions such as BaCO, BaSiO and BaSO, and residual carbon. A special attention is given to the assessment of the harmless treatment methods for BS from hazardous waste to general waste, which will decrease its management costs. Precipitation and solidification of soluble barium is the common pathway for harmless treatment of BS, and the using of other industrial waste can realize cost-saving. Methods for comprehensive utilization of BS include recovery of barium and carbon, application in building materials, and using as adsorbents for wastewater treatment. In particular, we analyzed and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of these existing process routes, intending to promote potentials for comprehensive utilization of BS in the future.
Topics: Humans; Barium; Barium Sulfate; Silicon Dioxide; Salts; Hazardous Waste; Industrial Waste; Carbon
PubMed: 36242976
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116461 -
Intensive Care Medicine 1991A 22-year-old man attempted to commit suicide by swallowing an unknown amount of barium carbonate dissolved in hydrochloric acid. Shortly after ingestion, he developed...
A 22-year-old man attempted to commit suicide by swallowing an unknown amount of barium carbonate dissolved in hydrochloric acid. Shortly after ingestion, he developed crampy abdominal pain and generalized muscle weakness. About 2 h later, respiratory failure ensued necessitating orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Concomitantly, life-threatening arrhythmias including ventricular fibrillation occurred, and he had to be resuscitated for 45 min. After correction of severe hypokalemia (serum potassium 1.5 mmol/l), cardiac rhythm stabilized. In an attempt to accelerate removal of barium from the circulation hemodialysis was begun. During hemodialysis muscle strength returned. Pharmacokinetic analysis of serum barium levels suggest that hemodialysis shortened the serum half-life of barium. Subsequently, the patient made a complete and uneventful recovery. Our case demonstrates that severe barium poisoning can be survived provided that early aggressive therapeutic measures are undertaken. Hemodialysis seems to be efficacious in the therapy of barium intoxication.
Topics: Adult; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Barium; Carbonates; Emergencies; Humans; Hypokalemia; Male; Poisoning; Renal Dialysis; Respiratory Insufficiency; Suicide, Attempted
PubMed: 2037725
DOI: 10.1007/BF01708412 -
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental... 2001The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an established oral reference dose (RfD) value for Ba of 0.07 mg Ba/kg/d based on a 1984 investigation that reported... (Review)
Review
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an established oral reference dose (RfD) value for Ba of 0.07 mg Ba/kg/d based on a 1984 investigation that reported hypertension. In this study, the toxicological data for Ba has been reevaluated and a revised oral RfD is proposed. The toxicokinetic, acute, and chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive animal studies as well as epidemiological and occupational health human studies for Ba exposure were reviewed for applicability to an oral RfD. The available human studies have some utility but suffer from either a small population size, a short exposure regimen, or difficulties in identifying definitive Ba exposure in the study population. As a result, the available long-term animal studies were found to be more appropriate for the RfD derivation. A dose-response assessment of no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) values determined that kidney effects are the most sensitive endpoint for adverse health effects related to chronic soluble Ba ingestion in mammals. The most complete animal studies were conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP, 1994) and the lowest species NOAELs were 75 mg Ba/kg/d in male mice and 60 mg Ba/kg/d for male rats. The male rats were identified to be the most sensitive population tested and their NOAEL value was selected for extrapolation to an oral RfD. Application of overall uncertainty factors to the lowest NOAEL value from a chronic animal study of either 90 (based on an approach proposed by Dourson, 1994) or the generally accepted 100 results in an oral RfD of 0.66 mg Ba/kg/d or 0.6 mg Ba/kg/d, respectively. It is proposed to use the more conservative value of 0.6 mg Ba/kg/d. This reassessment results in nearly an order of magnitude increase in the U.S. EPA oral RfD for Ba.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Barium; Female; Humans; Male; Mice; Rats; Reference Standards
PubMed: 11695044
DOI: 10.1080/109374001753146216 -
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Aug 2014There is an increasing public awareness of the relatively new and expanded industrial barium uses which are potential sources of human exposure (e.g., a shale gas... (Review)
Review
There is an increasing public awareness of the relatively new and expanded industrial barium uses which are potential sources of human exposure (e.g., a shale gas development that causes an increased awareness of environmental exposures to barium). However, absorption of barium in exposed humans and a full spectrum of its health effects, especially among chronically exposed to moderate and low doses of barium populations, remain unclear. We suggest a systematic literature review (from 1875 to 2014) on environmental distribution of barium, its bioaccumulation, and potential and proven health impacts (in animal models and humans) to provide the information that can be used for optimization of future experimental and epidemiological studies and developing of mitigative and preventive strategies to minimize negative health effects in exposed populations. The potential health effects of barium exposure are largely based on animal studies, while epidemiological data for humans, specifically for chronic low-level exposures, are sparse. The reported health effects include cardiovascular and kidney diseases, metabolic, neurological, and mental disorders. Age, race, dietary patterns, behavioral risks (e.g., smoking), use of medications (those that interfere with absorbed barium in human organism), and specific physiological status (e.g., pregnancy) can modify barium effects on human health. Identifying, evaluating, and predicting the health effects of chronic low-level and moderate-level barium exposures in humans is challenging: Future research is needed to develop an understanding of barium bioaccumulation in order to mitigate its potential health impacts in various exposured populations. Further, while occupationally exposed at-risk populations exist, it is also important to identify potentially vulnerable subgroups among non-occupationally exposed populations (e.g., elderly, pregnant women, children) who are at higher risk of barium exposure from drinking water and food.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Barium; Drinking Water; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Industry; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 24844320
DOI: 10.1007/s10653-014-9622-7 -
Nature Jul 1947
Topics: Barium
PubMed: 20256163
DOI: 10.1038/160126a0 -
Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official... Jul 1999
Topics: Barium; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; Radiology
PubMed: 10405123
DOI: No ID Found -
Nanotechnology Jun 2016Ceramic materials based on perovskite-like oxides have traditionally been the object of intense interest for their applicability in electrical and electronic devices....
Ceramic materials based on perovskite-like oxides have traditionally been the object of intense interest for their applicability in electrical and electronic devices. Due to its high dielectric constant and piezoelectric features, barium titanate (BaTiO3) is probably one of the most studied compounds of this family. Recently, an increasing number of studies have been focused on the exploitation of barium titanate nanoparticles (BTNPs) in the biomedical field, owing to the high biocompatibility of BTNPs and their peculiar non-linear optical properties that have encouraged their use as nanocarriers for drug delivery and as label-free imaging probes. In this review, we summarize all the recent findings about these 'smart' nanoparticles, including the latest, most promising potential as nanotransducers for cell stimulation.
Topics: Barium; Ceramics; Metal Nanoparticles; Nanomedicine; Titanium
PubMed: 27145888
DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/23/232001 -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) Oct 2021We experienced a patient who presented with lung abscess one month after aspirating barium during a gastric cancer screening examination. The patient had no subjective...
We experienced a patient who presented with lung abscess one month after aspirating barium during a gastric cancer screening examination. The patient had no subjective symptoms suggesting a swallowing disorder. Rigorous history taking under suspicion of aspiration and a further assessment of the cause of aspiration revealed hypopharyngeal cancer. Lung abscess and hypopharyngeal cancer, both treatable but potentially fatal conditions, were not diagnosed until one month after the aspiration. This highlights the need for guidance for patients and physicians to follow in the event of barium aspiration, as it is the most common complication of a barium examination. A health checkup for one condition (gastric cancer) may also be an opportunity to diagnose another underlying condition.
Topics: Barium; Deglutition Disorders; Humans; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms
PubMed: 33896861
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.6052-20 -
Journal of the American Veterinary... Sep 2010A 2-year-old 14.9-kg (32.8-lb) neutered female Shetland Sheepdog was admitted to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital for evaluation of acute...
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 2-year-old 14.9-kg (32.8-lb) neutered female Shetland Sheepdog was admitted to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital for evaluation of acute collapse.
CLINICAL FINDINGS
At admission, the dog was tachypneic and had reduced limb reflexes and muscle tone in all limbs consistent with diffuse lower motor neuron dysfunction. The dog was severely hypokalemic (1.7 mEq/L; reference range, 3.5 to 5.8 mEq/L). Clinical status of the dog deteriorated; there was muscle twitching, flaccid paralysis, and respiratory failure, which was considered a result of respiratory muscle weakness. Ventricular arrhythmias and severe acidemia (pH, 7.18; reference range, 7.35 to 7.45) developed. Intoxication was suspected, and plasma and urine samples submitted for barium analysis had barium concentrations comparable with those reported in humans with barium toxicosis. Analysis of barium concentrations in 5 control dogs supported the diagnosis of barium toxicosis in the dog.
TREATMENT AND OUTCOME
Fluids and potassium supplementation were administered IV. The dog recovered rapidly. Electrolyte concentrations measured after recovery were consistently unremarkable. Quantification of plasma barium concentration 56 days after the presumed episode of intoxication revealed a large decrease; however, the plasma barium concentration remained elevated, compared with that in control dogs.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
To our knowledge, this case represented the first description of barium toxicosis in the veterinary literature. 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.
Topics: Animals; Barium; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female
PubMed: 20807132
DOI: 10.2460/javma.237.5.547 -
Chemosphere Nov 2018At present, beneficial effects of melanin and harmful effects of barium have been reported. However, little is known about the adsorption of barium, and even less is...
At present, beneficial effects of melanin and harmful effects of barium have been reported. However, little is known about the adsorption of barium, and even less is known about the biological significance of adsorption of barium by melanin. In this study, we showed that there was a strong correlation between the digitalized level of skin pigmentation and barium level in murine skin compared to the correlations between skin pigmentation level and levels of homologous elements of barium (magnesium, calcium and strontium). The concentration of subcutaneously injected barium in skin with a high level of pigmentation was higher than that in skin with a low level of pigmentation. Our cell-free experiment using the Langmuir isotherm for adsorption of barium in synthetic melanin also provided direct evidence of adsorption of barium by melanin. We then investigated the biological significance of melanin-mediated barium adsorption. We found barium-mediated increase in transforming activity in pigmented melanocytes (melan-a) but not in unpigmented melanocytes (melan-c) after confirming that the barium level in melan-a melanocytes was 3.4-fold higher than that in melan-c melanocytes after culture of 5 μM barium for 24 h. Taken together, our results not only indicate adsorption of barium by melanin in mice, cells and cell-free systems but also suggest a disadvantageous effect of adsorption of barium by melanin on transforming activity in cultured cells.
Topics: Adsorption; Animals; Barium; Cell-Free System; Cells, Cultured; Humans; Melanins; Melanocytes; Mice; Pigmentation
PubMed: 30015129
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.07.022