Barium sulfate

Barium Sulfate is a chemical compound with the formula BaSO4. It is a white crystalline solid that is odorless and insoluble in water. It occurs as the mineral barite, which is the main commercial source of barium and materials prepared from it.

Chemical Properties

Barium sulfate is a white crystalline solid that is insoluble in water. The barium ion and the sulfate ion are both fairly large, leading to a high lattice energy and thus insolubility in water. It is also resistant to most chemicals, including concentrated acids and bases.

Uses

Barium sulfate is used in a wide variety of applications. It is used as a filler in plastics and as a component in the production of oil well drilling fluid to increase the density. It is also used in medicine as a radiopaque agent for diagnostic procedures.

Medical Uses

In medicine, barium sulfate is used as a radiopaque agent, meaning it helps certain areas show up more clearly on x-rays. It is typically mixed with water and swallowed or given as an enema. This is known as a barium meal or barium enema.

Safety

While barium is a heavy metal, and its water-soluble compounds are often highly toxic, the low solubility of barium sulfate protects the patient from absorbing harmful amounts of the metal. Barium sulfate mixtures are used in various types of medical radiology, such as the detection of abnormalities in the stomach and intestines.

See Also

• Barium
• Sulfate
• Barite
• Radiopaque agents