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Inhalation Toxicity of Metal Particles and Vapors
Published in Jacob Loke, Pathophysiology and Treatment of Inhalation Injuries, 2020
The toxicity of barium compounds depends on their solubility (Cuddihy et al., 1974). In man, the free ion is readily absorbed from all segments of the respiratory tract, but insoluble barium sulfate remains essentially unabsorbed and its accumulation in lung tissues increases with age. The soluble compounds once absorbed are transported by the plasma. The biologic half-life is short (less than 24 hours) (Stokinger, 1981). The major excretory route of absorbed barium appears to be the feces, although some is lost through the kidneys, sweat, and other routes (Reeves, 1977a). The renal tubules reabsorb barium in the filtrate. Inhalation of barium sulfate (barite) dust causes a pulmonary reaction with mobilization of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages, and characteristic radiographic changes with dense, discrete, small opacities distributed throughout the lung fields (“baritosis”). However, the shadows appear to be due to the radiopacity of the barium sulfate itself rather than to any tissue lesions, and the condition is symptomless with no changes in pulmonary function (Wende, 1956; Stokinger, 1963; Levi-Vallensi et al., 1966). The radiologic changes are reversible if exposure to barium salt is stopped (Browning, 1969).
The Respiratory System and Its Disorders
Published in Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss, Understanding Medical Terms, 2020
Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss
Environmental lung disease results when substances other than oxygen are inhaled, Such substances include allergens, viruses, smoke, bacteria, toxic gas, and dust. Disease terms related to occupational exposure are byssinosis, baritosis, pneumoconiosis, and silicosis, among others; other terms frequently encountered include specific agents to which an individual may be exposed, such as asbestos.
Barium exposure increases the risk of congenital heart defects occurrence in offspring
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2018
Nannan Zhang, Zhen Liu, Xiaoxian Tian, Ming Chen, Ying Deng, Yixiong Guo, Nana Li, Ping Yu, Jiaxiang Yang, Jun Zhu
Barium exposure can cause discomfort or damage in the human body. Barium inhibits potassium efflux across cell membranes, leading to hypokalemia [21]. Furthermore, barium blocks the cardiac transient outward K+ current, altering the electrophysiological properties of the heart. These properties include membrane depolarization and spontaneous electrical activity [22]. Barium's acute toxic effects at higher doses include rapid hypokalemia, cardiac dysrhythmias, muscles paralysis, respiratory failure, and even death [18,21]. Exposure to BaSO4 and BaCO3 can result in baritosis and pneumoconiosis in occupationally exposed populations [18] and the administration of BaSO4 in patients with cardiovascular and kidney disease can increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and renal failure [23]. In mice, barium in drinking water results in severe ototoxicity and degeneration of the inner ears [20]. A higher prevalence of obesity and autism is observed in communities with higher levels of Ba in drinking water [24].