Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Barium is described by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) as a silvery-white metal which exists in nature only in ores containing mixtures of elements. It combines with other chemicals such as sulfur or carbon and oxygen to form barium compounds.
The agency goes on to state that barium compounds are used by the oil and gas industries to make drilling muds. Drilling muds make it easier to drill through rock by keeping the drill bit lubricated. Barium compounds are also used to make paint, bricks, ceramics, glass and rubber.
Potential routes of exposure include:
• Inhalation – Generally limited to occupational exposure
• Oral – Primary route of exposure for the general population (some foods, such as Brazil nuts, seaweed, fish and certain plants, may contain high amounts of barium).
• Dermal – Minor route of exposure
Ways people could be exposed to barium listed by ATSDR include:
• Ingesting small amounts present in food and water or breathing air containing very low levels of barium
• Living in areas with unusually high natural levels of barium in the drinking water
• Working in a job that involves barium production or use
• Living or working near waste sites where barium has been disposed of
There are number of potential health effects due to exposure which are shown on the screen. For example, inhaling barium can irritate the nose, throat and lungs and direct contact can irritate and burn the skin or eyes. Barium may damage the kidneys and exposure to high levels may result in barium poisoning which can have serious consequences.
To protect workers and the public, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set a limit for barium in drinking water. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for barium compounds and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs).
These are just a few things to know about barium, barium compounds and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown on below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
Barium is described by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) as a silvery-white metal which exists in nature only in ores containing mixtures of elements. It combines with other chemicals such as sulfur or carbon and oxygen to form barium compounds.
The agency goes on to state that barium compounds are used by the oil and gas industries to make drilling muds. Drilling muds make it easier to drill through rock by keeping the drill bit lubricated. Barium compounds are also used to make paint, bricks, ceramics, glass and rubber.
Potential routes of exposure include:
• Inhalation – Generally limited to occupational exposure
• Oral – Primary route of exposure for the general population (some foods, such as Brazil nuts, seaweed, fish and certain plants, may contain high amounts of barium).
• Dermal – Minor route of exposure
Ways people could be exposed to barium listed by ATSDR include:
• Ingesting small amounts present in food and water or breathing air containing very low levels of barium
• Living in areas with unusually high natural levels of barium in the drinking water
• Working in a job that involves barium production or use
• Living or working near waste sites where barium has been disposed of
There are number of potential health effects due to exposure which are shown on the screen. For example, inhaling barium can irritate the nose, throat and lungs and direct contact can irritate and burn the skin or eyes. Barium may damage the kidneys and exposure to high levels may result in barium poisoning which can have serious consequences.
To protect workers and the public, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set a limit for barium in drinking water. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for barium compounds and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs).
These are just a few things to know about barium, barium compounds and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown on below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
