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Document ID (ISN)55532
CIS number 91-565
ISBN(s) 92-4-157107-1
Year 1990
Convention or series no. Environmental Health Criteria 107
Author(s)
International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS)
Title Barium
Bibliographic information World Health Organization, Distribution and Sales Service, 1211 Genève 27, Switzerland, 1990. 148p. 290 ref. Price: CHF 17.00.
Abstract Several cases of barium poisoning have been reported, with doses as low as 0.2-0.5mg/kg body weight leading to toxic effects in adult humans. Clinical features of barium poisoning include acute gastroenteritis, loss of deep reflexes and muscular paralysis. No conclusive evidence is available on the possible relationship between barium in drinking water and cardiovascular mortality, and there is no evidence that barium is carcinogenic. Baritosis and an increased incidence of hypertension have been observed in individuals occupationally exposed to barium compounds. At normally occurring concentrations, barium does not pose a significant threat for the general population, although those occupationally exposed may suffer adverse effects. Detailed summaries in French and Spanish.
Descriptors (primary) barium; IPCS; WHO; environmental pollution; toxicology; hazard evaluation; alkaline earth metals
Descriptors (secondary) poisoning; literature survey; ILO; UNEP; criteria document; animal experiments; drinking water; food contamination; cardiovascular diseases; baritosis
Document type E - Books, reports, proceedings
Subject(s) Toxic and dangerous substances
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Risk evaluation
Inorganic substances
Environmental pollution