1126 Barium sulfate Barium sulfate belongs to the alkaline earth metal sulfates, a subclass of alkaline earth metal oxoanionic compounds within the inorganic compounds. This exogenous compound has the formula BaO4S and an average molecular weight of 233.39 g/mol. It is a solid at room temperature and is classified as a mixed metal/non-metal compound. The compound is utilized in various industrial roles, including as a pigment, filler, opacifer, and dye (PMC8515334). Other industrial applications include its use as a binder, flame retardant, pH regulating agent, and as processing aids not otherwise specified. It is used in plastics such as Polyvinyl Chloride, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Expanded polystyrene, Polyurethane, Polycarbonate, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, Polyamide, High-Density Polyethylene, and Low-Density Polyethylene, and it is present in High impact polystyrene. Barium sulfate is found in 43 recorded sources, including healthcare products as non-iodinated X-ray contrast media, building and construction materials such as floors, ceilings, and roofs, electrical equipment including antennas and adjustable resistors, and food processing applications. Recorded exposure routes include rectal and oral. Barium sulfate has 17 recorded protein targets. Barium acts as a competitive potassium channel antagonist that blocks the passive efflux of intracellular potassium, resulting in a shift of potassium from extracellular to intracellular compartments. This leads to a decreased resting membrane potential, making muscle fibers electrically unexcitable and causing paralysis; this effect is associated with KCNQ1, KCNQ2, KCNQ3, KCNQ4, KCNJ1, KCNJ10, KCNJ14, KCNJ15, and eight other proteins. Additionally, barium is believed to bind and activate calmodulin, causing certain neurotoxic effects. 7727-43-7 24414 BaO4S 233.856970 White crystals. 1580°C Oral (L214) ; inhalation (L214) Barium is a competitive potassium channel antagonist that blocks the passive efflux of intracellular potassium, resulting in a shift of potassium from extracellular to intracellular compartments. The intracellular translocation of potassium results in a decreased resting membrane potential, making the muscle fibers electrically unexcitable and causing paralysis. Some of these barium's effects may also be due to barium induced neuromuscular blockade and membrane depolarization. (L214) Barium compounds are absorbed via ingestion and inhalation, the extent of which depends on the individual compound. In the body, the majority of the barium is found in the bone, while small amounts exists in the muscle, adipose, skin, and connective tissue. Barium is not metabolized in the body, but it may be transported or incorporated into complexes or tissues. Barium is excreted in the urine and faeces. (L214) 1 to 15 grams for an adult human (barium salts). (T48) No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC). Barium sulfate is used as a radiocontrast agent for X-ray imaging, in pigments, and to produce green light in pyrotechnics. (L210) Intermediate Oral: 0.2 mg/kg/day (L134) Chronic Oral: 0.2 mg/kg/day (L134) The health effects of the different barium compounds depend on how well the compound dissolves in water or the stomach contents. At low doses, barium acts as a muscle stimulant, while higher doses affect the nervous system, causing cardiac irregularities, tremors, weakness, anxiety, dyspnea, paralysisand possibly death. Barium may also cause gastrointestinal disturbances, damage the kidneys and cause decreases in body weight. (L214) Ingesting excess barium may cause vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, difficulties in breathing, increased or decreased blood pressure, numbness around the face, and muscle weakness. High levels may result in changes in heart rhythm or paralysis and possibly death. (L214) Intravenous infusion of potassium often relieves many of the symptoms of barium toxicity. (L214) 2009-06-19T21:58:20Z 2026-05-14T19:07:23Z D001466 Barium sulfate DB11150 12160 true [Ba++].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O BaO4S InChI=1S/Ba.H2O4S/c;1-5(2,3)4/h;(H2,1,2,3,4)/q+2;/p-2 TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 233.39 233.856970451 Exogenous Solid -0.84 CHEMBL2105897 22823 CHEM000959 DTXSID0050471 NS00074386 barium(2+) sulfate 80.25999999999999 11.5274 5.805291890677037 0 4 0 -3.034349054191991 -2 0 Inorganic compounds Mixed metal/non-metal compounds Alkaline earth metal oxoanionic compounds Alkaline earth metal sulfates 9864 CED0002588 TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 20000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000020000000000000001000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000200000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008040000000000000000000000000000000000000000080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 1000000000000000000000000000000000400000020004000000000000000000030000000000000000000000020000000040000000044000080000000100400000000000010000000c2000000000000000000820000000000000000000000000040000000000000401000602060801000000004110000000010000200400008040000000000020000000000100400124000100003000800000000004040000000000040000008000020001002c000000000000010000000000000000000000004000002000000000000008000000000000040000c000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000004000000000000010000000 776t3gAAAAAQAAAAAwAAAAAAAAAGAAAABAAAAIABOCAKAAAAAgEIICIAAAD/ ARAAIAAAAAYIICIAAAD/AQgAKAAAAAMCCAAoAAAAAwILAQIAAgMAAgQIAgIF CAJCAAAAABcEAAAAAAAAABY= 2026-09-19T04:00:00Z