What is the toxicity of thallium?

Internationally thallium toxicity is common in developing countries; however, little data is available. Six percent to 15% has been reported for acute thallium toxicity. Ten to 15 mg/kg is a lethal dose for humans. Death can still occur at lower dosages.

What products contain thallium?

Thallium is a heavy metal used in the manufacture of electronic components, optical lenses, semiconductor materials, alloys, gamma radiation detection equipment, imitation jewelry, artist’s paints, low temperature thermometers, and green fireworks.

Where does thallium toxicity come from?

Thallium poisoning usually follows oral ingestion but it can be inhaled from contaminated dust from pyrite burners, cadmium manufacturing, and lead and zinc smelting, and in contamination of heroin or cocaine. Its toxic effect is due to its ability to inhibit a number of intracellular potassium-mediated processes.

What are the properties of thallium?

Physical properties Thallium is a heavy, bluish-white metal that resembles lead, element 82. Thallium is very soft and melts easily. It is soft enough to cut with an ordinary knife and will leave a mark on paper if rubbed across it. Thallium has a melting point of 302°C (576°F) and a boiling point of 1,457°C (2,655°F).

How does thallium affect the heart?

As in humans, animal studies indicate that exposure to large amounts of thallium for brief periods of time can damage the nervous system and heart and can cause death. Animal reproductive organs, especially the testes, are damaged after drinking small amounts of thallium- contaminated water for 2 months.

What is thallium used for medically?

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.

How do you test for thallium?

Measurable urine concentrations of thallium tend to persist for several days after exposure, and may be used to monitor treatment. A 24-hour urine thallium concentration is the most accurate way to assess thallium toxicity; however, a “spot” urine level provides more rapid confirmation.

How much thallium is toxic to humans?

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.

What is the classification of thallium?

post-transition metal
Thallium is a chemical element with symbol Tl and atomic number 81. Classified as a post-transition metal, Thallium is a solid at room temperature.

What does thallium react with?

Thallium metal reacts vigorously with fluorine, F2, chlorine, Cl2, and bromine, Br2, to form the dihalides thallium(III) fluoride, TlF3, thallium(III) chloride, TlCl3, tand hallium(III) bromide, TlBr3, respectively. All these compounds are poisonous.

What is thallium test?

What is a thallium scan or a cardiolite scan? A thallium (or cardiolite) scan uses a radioactive tracer to see how much blood is reaching different parts of your heart. These tests are the more common forms of tests called nuclear medicine scans. You may also hear them called: thallium myocardial imaging.

What are 3 uses for thallium?

Uses of thallium Thallium is used in photoresistors, infrared optical equipment, low melting glasses and several other applications. Thallium sulfate has been used as a rodent and ant killer because it’s odorless and tasteless. However, the use of the product has been prohibited since 1972 in the United States.

What happens if you take thallium?

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.

Why is thallium used In medicine?

What type of element is thallium?

metal
thallium (Tl), chemical element, metal of main Group 13 (IIIa, or boron group) of the periodic table, poisonous and of limited commercial value. Like lead, thallium is a soft, low-melting element of low tensile strength.

What is a thallium viability study?

A Nuclear Medicine Thallium Viability Scan is a test used to evaluate the blood flow to the heart. After a heart attack (myocardial infarction), some of the heart muscle may be permanently damaged or scarred. Once this occurs, the area affected will cease to function properly.

What is thallium used for in medicine?

What is thallium poisoning?

Thallium is a tasteless, odorless, and water-soluble chemical element for which both accidental intoxication and criminal poisoning have been reported. The occupational exposure limit for thallium is 0.1 milligrams (mg) per cubic meter of skin for no longer than eight hours a day.

What is the exposure limit for thallium?

The occupational exposure limit for thallium is 0.1 milligrams (mg) per cubic meter of skin for no longer than eight hours a day. Levels of 15 mg per cubic meter and above are considered acutely dangerous. Thallium is readily absorbed both via inhalation and via skin.

What is thallium used for?

Thallium is used in rat poison and ant killer, and because it is both odorless and tasteless, it has become an accidental intoxication as well as a criminal poison in some cases.  To this day, thallium is seen in rodenticide and insecticide in other countries.

How is thallium detected in the body?

Only elevated thallium levels in hair, nails, blood, urine, feces and saliva can make a definitive clinical diagnosis. A 24-hour urine thallium concentration, assayed by atomic absorption photospectrometry, is the standard method.  Although a urine spot test is faster, it has a high false-positive rate.