Antimony, often mistaken for lead, was thought to be a common ingredient in Khol eyeliner back in the time of Egypt’s prime. It’s still used in some traditional eyeliner in the Middle East today and has even made its way into modern cosmetics as well. Antimony is a shiny, silvery element with 5 valence electrons and the ability to increase the strength of lead creating a much more durable alloy. It’s insoluble in water, stable in air and it is not ductile or malleable in its pure form. It’s alloys have a wide range of uses, however, from castings and metal bearings to plastics, textiles and even paper.

Though useful, Antimony is also quite toxic. The most dangerous exposure is to those that work with it in the industrial field. If it’s inhaled it can cause respiratory issues like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pleural adhesions and more. It’s also noted to increase blood pressure and cause gastrointestinal disorders. Studies suggest that it could also cause liver and kidney damage. It is additionally a known carcinogen! Though the FDA and CDC have dragged their feet on this classification for years, many states have gone ahead and listed it among their known carcinogens as we know it has a strong tie to lung cancer and other types of cancer related to the respiratory system.

A big environmental issue currently on the rise is the natural resource contamination due to the mining of antimony. The development of better methods for it’s isolation and removal are being highlighted as mining releases antimony into the soil where it eventually leaches into the groundwater. Currently, we’ve seen the impact of antimony when it’s inhaled regularly in it’s industrial use but imagine what harm it could do if consumed unknowingly by the greater population. This risk is one that researchers are currently trying to assess while developing safer ways to use this material.

As a consumer, it’s important to know if the products you are buying contain Antimony. It’s been known to show up in clothing, school supplies for kids and even baby prams. As we have learned before, toxic chemicals are often most detrimental to the very young so being away of the materials you pick up and expose you family too is more important now than ever.

Resources:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653521007219

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/antimony-compounds.pdf

Lead: Is It Really That Bad?

There’s a substantial amount of hype around lead and other heavy metals being found in paint, turf, toys, and even dietary supplements. Why does this matter and is it really as important as regulations and media coverage for incidents like what happened in Flint, Michigan would lead us to believe? Short Answer? Yes. 100% yes. Lead is a serious toxin that causes a wide spectrum of health issues, the most notable affecting the young. Adults are by no means protected from the impacts of lead poisoning but children, and even developing fetuses, can be stunted intellectually and physically for the rest of their lives from lead poisoning. Even more significant, the damage done is thought to be permanent. So, yes. Lead poisoning is truly the horror many have made it out to be.

So, where is one most likely to encounter lead? Unless you have a job where you are handling lead solder or lead bullets regularly, your most common encounters are going to be in older home construction elements such as paint or pipes. Though lead has been phased out in the construction of new homes since about 1978, the renovation or just habitation of older homes makes lead a pretty common consideration to this day. Even just a small amount of lead dust in the air from peeling paint can cause serious issues as lead builds up in the body. Not only that but lead is stored in the bones of the body and can re-enter the bloodstream years later. In pregnancy, the earlier exposure of the mother often leads to the poisoning of the child before it is even born. Small children absorb lead more easily and if they are lacking in certain nutrients, specifically iron and calcium, they will absorb even more. Issues in brain development and damage to the nervous system are just a few of the wide range of negative consequences children may suffer. Though there is a treatment used to reduce lead in the body, the treatment is not without its own risks, especially for children and has historically caused a number of deaths on its own. The best way to combat lead poisoning is to prevent exposure in the first place.

If you have to work with lead because you are renovating an old home or something similar, the EPA has put out a guide booklet to assist you in limiting your exposure. Additionally, there are often trained service professionals available to take this step for you. If you are exposed, you might give the National Poison Hotline a call at: 1-800-222-1222. For non-emergency situations where one would definitely call 911, they can help you respond responsibly and effectively to a less urgent incident of lead poisoning.

For some additional reading check out these three articles: 1, 2, 3