What is thallium sulfate used for?

Thallium Sulfate is an odorless, colorless, crystalline (sand- like) solid or a white powder. It is used as a rodenticide and an insecticide. * Thallium Sulfate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, DEP, IRIS and EPA.

How much thallium is fatal?

Thallium poisoning is via ingestion or absorption through the skin. The lethal dose for humans is 15-20 mg/kg, although much small doses have also led to death. Non-lethal doses cause toxic effects. Prolonged exposure may lead to build-up and chronic poisoning.

Where is thallium found?

Thallium is found in several ores. One of these is pyrites, which is used to produce sulfuric acid. Some thallium is obtained from pyrites, but it is mainly obtained as a by-product of copper, zinc and lead refining. Thallium is also present in manganese nodules found on the ocean floor.

How do you make thallium?

Preparation. Thallium(I) sulfate is produced by the reaction of thallium metal with sulfuric acid followed by crystallization.

What does thallium do to the body?

Studies in people who ingested large amounts of thallium over a short time have reported vomiting, diarrhea, temporary hair loss, and effects on the nervous system, lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys. It has caused death. It is not known what the effects are from ingesting low levels of thallium over a long time.

How does thallium affect the human body?

Thallium can affect your nervous system, lung, heart, liver, and kidney if large amounts are eaten or drunk for short periods of time. Temporary hair loss, vomiting, and diarrhea can also occur and death may result after exposure to large amounts of thallium for short periods.

Is thallium still used in rat poison?

Thallium was used historically as a rodenticide, but has since been banned in the United States due to its toxicity from accidental exposure.

What foods contain thallium?

thallium levels (watercress, radish, turnip and green cabbage) were all Brassicaceous plants, followed by the Chenopods beet and spinach. At a thallium concentration of 0.7 mg/kg in the soil only green bean, tomato, onion, pea and lettuce would be safe for human consumption.

What foods have thallium?

What are the benefits of thallium?

Thallium-201 is a radiopharmaceutical agent used in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and parathyroid hyperactivity. Other useful applications for a thallium-201 scan, like tumor diagnosis and olfacto-scintigraphy, are being explored and have shown promising results in various studies.

Is thallium poisonous to humans?

Thallium is considered a cumulative poison that can cause adverse health effects and degenerative changes in many organs. The effects are the most severe in the nervous system.

How toxic is thallium to humans?