Thallium is a toxic metallic element with various commercial uses. It is mined from lorandite and crookesite and has a silvery-white appearance. It was discovered by Sir William Crookes and emits a green line. Thallium was historically used as a poison and is still used in various industries. It should be handled with care and exposure should be treated immediately.
Thallium is a highly toxic metallic chemical element classified as a poor metal. Despite its toxicity, thallium has numerous commercial and industrial uses, although consumers do not interact directly with it. The element is most commonly mined from the ores lorandite and crookesite and can also be processed to produce useful isotopes. The antidote for ingestion of thallium, by the way, is Prussian blue.
In a pure form, thallium is silvery white and extremely soft; can be easily cut with a knife. When exposed to air, the item quickly tarnishes, turning dull gray to black. The physical properties of thallium resemble those of lead, another element of the group of poor metals. In the periodic table of elements, thallium is identified with the symbol Tl and has atomic number 81.
Credit for the discovery of thallium is typically attributed to Sir William Crookes, who observed its characteristic spectroscopic signature in 1861 and later succeeded in isolating the element. Spectroscopically, the element emits a distinctive green line, leading Crookes to name it after the Greek thallos, for “twig or new growth.” The element is extracted from the minerals in which it appears through a smelting process.
Historically, thallium has been used as insect and rat poison, due to its toxicity. However, incidents of illness following human exposure have led to a discontinuation of this use of the element. It is still used in photocells, semiconductors, infrared detectors, and low-melting, high-density glass. Thallium isotopes are used in nuclear medicine as contrast agents for medical imaging. It has also historically been used as a poison, because it only takes a small amount to kill someone.
This item is extremely toxic and therefore should be handled with care. When metal is melted or cut, protection should be worn and people should avoid skin contact with thallium, as it can be absorbed into the body. Products that contain thallium are usually clearly labeled and all warnings should be followed carefully. If thallium exposure is suspected, people should seek medical treatment right away.
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