Barium sulfate is a white, metallic powder that is mined from barium ore. It is used as an extender in paint, a bleaching agent, and in medical imaging procedures. It may cause skin and eye irritation and has limited evidence of being carcinogenic. Consumption of the suspension may cause nausea, cramps, and constipation.
Barium sulfate is a naturally occurring white solid that may appear slightly off-white. It is mined from the ore barium. The substance usually has no taste or odor, but has sometimes been reported to have a mild fruity odor. This chemical powder is metallic and does not dissolve in water.
There is a limited amount of evidence suggesting that this substance may be carcinogenic. May cause skin and eye irritation if these areas are exposed. However, it is generally not considered dangerous.
This powder is sometimes used in the paint industry as an extender. This means that the amount of coating will increase. This usually doesn’t affect the original color much, but some people believe that this process detracts from the original product.
Barium sulfate has low oil absorption rates. Because of this, it is sometimes used in oil paints. In this capacity, it will be almost transparent but may distort the color slightly.
In some cases, barium sulfate is used as a bleaching agent. Lithopone is a white pigment composed in part of this substance. Lithopone powder can be used for paint, but it is also used in the production of ink, plastics and rubber.
Although barium sulfate is not soluble in water, it is often made available in a white liquid form called a suspension. It is given to patients who are going to have medical imaging procedures. The patient is typically instructed to start drinking the suspension one hour and 30 minutes before imaging. It can also be introduced into the body via an enema.
Once the suspension is inside a person, it allows the radiologist to view areas of the gastrointestinal tract including the esophagus and stomach. This is possible because areas exposed to suspension tend to appear white. This allows you to capture a good picture of those areas.
There are some negative attributes to consuming barium sulfate suspension, but it has rarely been noted that it has any serious or fatal effects. Many people find suspension tends to be heavy, chalky, and has an off-flavor. However, all suspensions are not of the same thickness and in some the barium sulphate powder is finer. Many patients also experience side effects such as nausea, cramps and diarrhea. Constipation can also result if not much water is consumed after the imaging procedure.
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