Thallium Poisoning

• 30 Oct 2023

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently multiple family members in Mahagaon village, Maharashtra fell victim to thallium poisoning, a chemical that operates in silence, evading detection.

What are the Key Facts about Thallium?

• About:
  • Thallium(Tl) is a chemical element with the atomic number 81, was discovered by Sir William Crookes in 1861.
    • It is a soft, heavy, inelastic metal.
  • Thallium is tasteless and odourless and has been used by murderers as a difficult-to-detect poison.
• Appearance:
  • A soft, silvery-white metal that tarnishes easily.
• Sources:
  • It is found in trace amounts in the earth’s crust.
  • It is found in several ores. One of these is pyrites, which is used to produce sulfuric acid. Some thallium is obtained from pyrites, but it is mainly obtained as a by-product of copper, zinc and lead refining.
• Uses:
  • Thallium's utilization is restricted due to its toxic nature.
  • Thallium sulfate, once a rodent killer, is now banned for household use in many developed nations.
  • It finds application in the electronics industry for photoelectric cells.
  • Thallium oxide is used to create high-refraction glass and low-melting glass.
  • It is also used in the manufacturing of low temperature thermometers,and imitation jewels.
• Health Hazards:
  • Thallium can damage the nervous system causing headaches, weakness, and irritability. Repeated exposures can cause tremors, hallucinations, coma and death.
• Antidote:
  • Prussian blue is used in non-radioactive thallium poisoning.