(Hicks et al. 1986). In contrast to these finding, no adverse histological alterations were observed in the lungs of rats exposed to 44.1 mg barium/m 3 as barium sulfate for 119 days (Cullen et al. 2000).Cardiovascular Effects. Three of 12 workers chronically exposed to barium carbonate dust had elevated blood pressure and 2 workers had ECG abnormalities (Essing et al. 1976). However, it is unknown whether this represented an increased incidence because no comparison with a control population was performed. Increased blood pressure and cardiac irregularities were reportedly observed in guinea pigs exposed by inhalation for an unspecified period of time to 0.06 mg barium/m 3 /minute as aerosolized barium chloride solution (Hicks et al. 1986). Tarasenko et al. (1977) reported a 32% increase in arterial pressure and alterations in ECG readings suggestive of disturbances in heart conductivity following proserine administration in rats exposed to 3.6 mg barium/m 3 as barium carbonate; no ECG alterations were observed prior to proserine administration.Gastrointestinal Effects. Abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting were experienced by a 22-year old factory worker accidentally exposed by acute inhalation to a large but unspecified amount of barium carbonate powder (Shankle and Keane 1988). No animal studies were located regarding gastrointestinal effects in animals after inhalation exposure to barium.Hematological Effects. Altered hematological parameters were observed in rats following inhalation for an intermediate exposure period to 3.6 mg barium/m 3 as barium carbonate dust (Tarasenko et al. 1977). Reported changes included decreased blood hemoglobin and thrombocyte count. Musculoskeletal Effects.After accidental exposure to a large amount of barium carbonate powder by acute inhalation, a 22-year-old factory worker developed progressive muscle weakness and paralysis of the extremities and neck (Shankle and Keane 1988); this is likely due to the low serum potassium level rather than a direct effect on muscle tissue. X-ray analysis of the bones and skeletal muscles of the pelvis and thighs of workers chronically exposed to barium carbonate dust revealed no apparent build up of insoluble barium in these tissues (Essing et al. 1976). No studies were located regarding musculoskeletal effects in animals after inhalation exposure to barium. Hepatic Effects.No studies were located regarding hepatic effects in humans after inhalation exposure to barium. Impaired detoxifying function of the liver was noted in rats exposed to 3.6 mg barium/m 3 as barium carbonate dust (Tarasenko et al. 1977). No other details were reported. BARIUM AND BARIUM COMPOUNDS 3. HEALTH EFFECTSRenal Effects. Renal failure occurred in a 22-year-old worker accidentally exposed by acute inhalation to barium carbonate powder (Shankle and Keane 1988). No studies were located regarding renal effects in animals after inhalation exposure to barium. Body Weight Effects.A 21% decrease in body weight gain was observed in rats exposed to 3.6 mg barium/m 3 as ...

(Hicks et al. 1986). In contrast to these finding, no adverse histological alterations were observed in the lungs of rats exposed to 44.1 mg barium/m 3 as barium sulfate for 119 days (Cullen et al. 2000).Cardiovascular Effects. Three of 12 workers chronically exposed to barium carbonate dust had elevated blood pressure and 2 workers had ECG abnormalities (Essing et al. 1976). However, it is unknown whether this represented an increased incidence because no comparison with a control population was performed. Increased blood pressure and cardiac irregularities were reportedly observed in guinea pigs exposed by inhalation for an unspecified period of time to 0.06 mg barium/m 3 /minute as aerosolized barium chloride solution (Hicks et al. 1986). Tarasenko et al. (1977) reported a 32% increase in arterial pressure and alterations in ECG readings suggestive of disturbances in heart conductivity following proserine administration in rats exposed to 3.6 mg barium/m 3 as barium carbonate; no ECG alterations were observed prior to proserine administration.Gastrointestinal Effects. Abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting were experienced by a 22-year old factory worker accidentally exposed by acute inhalation to a large but unspecified amount of barium carbonate powder (Shankle and Keane 1988). No animal studies were located regarding gastrointestinal effects in animals after inhalation exposure to barium.Hematological Effects. Altered hematological parameters were observed in rats following inhalation for an intermediate exposure period to 3.6 mg barium/m 3 as barium carbonate dust (Tarasenko et al. 1977). Reported changes included decreased blood hemoglobin and thrombocyte count. Musculoskeletal Effects.After accidental exposure to a large amount of barium carbonate powder by acute inhalation, a 22-year-old factory worker developed progressive muscle weakness and paralysis of the extremities and neck (Shankle and Keane 1988); this is likely due to the low serum potassium level rather than a direct effect on muscle tissue. X-ray analysis of the bones and skeletal muscles of the pelvis and thighs of workers chronically exposed to barium carbonate dust revealed no apparent build up of insoluble barium in these tissues (Essing et al. 1976). No studies were located regarding musculoskeletal effects in animals after inhalation exposure to barium. Hepatic Effects.No studies were located regarding hepatic effects in humans after inhalation exposure to barium. Impaired detoxifying function of the liver was noted in rats exposed to 3.6 mg barium/m 3 as barium carbonate dust (Tarasenko et al. 1977). No other details were reported. BARIUM AND BARIUM COMPOUNDS 3. HEALTH EFFECTSRenal Effects. Renal failure occurred in a 22-year-old worker accidentally exposed by acute inhalation to barium carbonate powder (Shankle and Keane 1988). No studies were located regarding renal effects in animals after inhalation exposure to barium. Body Weight Effects.A 21% decrease in body weight gain was observed in rats exposed to 3.6 mg barium/m 3 as ...