Abstract
For certain metal arc-welding and other metal processing operations, compounds of barium are used as flux components. Airborne fumes generated by welding with electrodes using barium fluoride or carbonate fluxes may contain 15–30% of barium in readily water-soluble form (Dare et al. 1984). Urine of welders inhaling such fumes was shown to contain elevated levels of barium ions (up to 234 µg/1). To assess the possible hazards of such exposure, the toxic potencies of fume samples, expressed in terms of their water-soluble barium ion contents, were compared with effects of solutions of barium salts in anaesthetised guinea-pigs. Dose-effect relationships were established and it was verified that acute toxic effects of inhaled aerosols or of intravenous bolus administration correlated with the barium contents of various forms of welding fumes. Bronchopulmonary reactivity to the barium was observed as marked increases in resistance to ventilatory air-flow, indicating bronchoconstriction. Simultaneously, marked pressor effects on blood pressure occurred. ECG abnormalities indicated myocardial hyperexcitability. Effects were modified by nifedipine and propranolol pretreatments.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dare PRM, Hewitt Pi, Hicks R, Bemst A Van, Zober A, Fleischer M (1984) Barium in welding fume. Ann Occup Hyg 28: 445–448
Hicks R, Leach GDH (1964) Quantitative evaluation of guinea-pig anaphylaxis in vivo. Brit J Pharmacol Chemother 21: 441–449
Hicks R, Sackeyflo AC (1972) An interaction between exogenously administered anaphylatoxin and histamine in the guinea pig. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 199: 252–265
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Springer-Verlag
About this paper
Cite this paper
Hicks, R., de Caldas, L.Q.A., Dare, P.R.M., Hewitt, P.J. (1986). Cardiotoxic and Bronchoconstrictor Effects of Industrial Metal Fumes Containing Barium. In: Chambers, C.M., Chambers, P.L., Tuomisto, J. (eds) Toxic Interfaces of Neurones, Smoke and Genes. Archives of Toxicology, vol 9. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-71248-7_84
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-71248-7_84
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-16589-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-71248-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive