HEAVY METALS

Ellen Chittester

Antimony

Antimony is also identifiable by its symbol Ab, and its atomic number 51 on the periodic table of elements.

Uses

it is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite. Antimony compounds have been known since ancient times and were used for cosmetics; metallic antimony was also known, but it was accidentally identified as lead. It was established to be an element around the 17th century.

For some time, China has been the largest producer of antimony and its compounds. The industrial methods to produce antimony are roasting and subsequent carbothermal reduction or direct reduction of stibnite with iron.

The largest applications for metallic antimony are as alloying material for lead and tin and for lead antimony plates in lead-acid batteries. Alloying lead and tin with antimony improves the properties of the alloys which are used in bullets and plane bearings. Antimony compounds are prominent additives for chlorine- and bromine-containing fire retardants found in many commercial and domestic products. An emerging application is the use of antimony in micro electrons.

Toxic Effects

Human exposure to antimony can take place by breathing air, drinking water and eating foods that contain it, but also by skin contact with soil, water and other substances that contain it. Breathing in antimony that is bond to hydrogen in the gaseous phase, is what mainly causes the health effects.

Exposure to relatively high concentrations of antimony for a longer period of time can cause irritation of the eyes, skin and lungs. As the exposure continues more serious health effects may occur, such as lung diseases, heart problems, diarrhea, severe vomiting and stomach ulcers. It is not known whether antimony can cause cancer or reproductive failure.

Works Cited

"Antimony - Sb." Antimony (Sb). Lenntech B.V, n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2013. <http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/sb.htm>.

"Antimony." WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2013. <http://www.webelements.com/antimony/>.

"Antimony Compounds." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2013. <http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/antimony.html>.