Barium chloride and sulfuric acid react to produce barium sulfate, which is used as a radio contrast agent in medical radiology. The suspension must be free of contaminants and soluble barium, and particle size and suspension characteristics are carefully controlled. The barium “milkshake” is a cheap and safe way to test body tissues, coating the walls of the digestive tract to highlight abnormalities. Barium sulfate is excreted naturally, making it safer than previously used thorium-based radiocontrast media.
Chemically a salt, barium chloride (BaCl2), consists of the elements barium (Ba) – a silvery-white alkaline earth metal and chlorine (Cl) – a highly corrosive, yellow-green halogen gas. Sulfuric acid is the strongest commercially strong acid, an oxyacid, which is also a potent dehydrating agent. Barium chloride and sulfuric acid, when reacted, produce a water insoluble solid, barium sulfate, plus hydrochloric acid. The reaction of these two substances is written BaCl2 + H2SO4 → BaSO4 + 2 HCl. Due to its physical and chemical properties, barium sulfate is very valuable in the field of medical radiology.
The suspension of barium sulfate in water is used as a radio contrast agent, which is a substance that makes certain parts of the body stand out better on an X-ray. This substance is often prepared using the reaction of barium chloride and sulfuric acid, rather than by an alternative reaction process. The substance resulting from this process must remain in suspension throughout the medical procedure and must be free of contaminants that are hazardous to health or taste bad. Traces of water-soluble barium compounds must not be present, as soluble barium is highly toxic to humans: it is only the exceptional insolubility of sulphate that permits its use. Particle size and other suspension characteristics are carefully controlled through the use of ultrafine grinding procedures. The liquid is also tested to make sure it has the right percentage of solids, viscosity and pH.
Barium chloride and sulfuric acid are relatively cheap, making the barium “milkshake” a cheap, effective, and safe way to test body tissues that are normally transparent to x-rays. The product in suspension usually contains additives to make it more useful and patient-friendly. These can include suspending agents, preservatives and flavoring agents. Other medical materials can also be used to supplement the suspension, such as effervescent tablets. The test takes place on an empty stomach, which can make the flavored milkshake more appealing to the hungry patient.
Ingested barium sulfate coats the walls of the digestive tract, highlighting what would otherwise appear as a negative image in white. This is because barium sulphate absorbs X-rays. Abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract, including tumors, bursae and constrictions, become apparent – even hernias and ulcers can be detected. No second substances need to be consumed or injected to remove barium from the system; barium sulfate is excreted, naturally, mixed with feces. How much safer is the suspension product manufactured with barium chloride and sulfuric acid than the previously used expensive and carcinogenic thorium-based radiocontrast media.
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