What are the physical and chemical properties of thallium?

Thallium is a heavy, bluish-white metal that resembles lead, element 82. Thallium is very soft and melts easily. It is soft enough to cut with an ordinary knife and will leave a mark on paper if rubbed across it. Thallium has a melting point of 302°C (576°F) and a boiling point of 1,457°C (2,655°F).

How does thallium affect the body?

Thallium can affect your nervous system, lung, heart, liver, and kidney if large amounts are eaten or drunk for short periods of time. Temporary hair loss, vomiting, and diarrhea can also occur and death may result after exposure to large amounts of thallium for short periods.

What foods have thallium?

thallium levels (watercress, radish, turnip and green cabbage) were all Brassicaceous plants, followed by the Chenopods beet and spinach. At a thallium concentration of 0.7 mg/kg in the soil only green bean, tomato, onion, pea and lettuce would be safe for human consumption.

What are the important uses for thallium?

Thallium is used in photoresistors, infrared optical equipment, low melting glasses and several other applications . Thallium sulfate has been used as a rodent and ant killer because it’s odorless and tasteless. However, the use of the product has been prohibited since 1972 in the United States.

How is thallium used in everyday life?

Thallium is a metal found in small amounts in soil and some minerals. Small amounts of thallium are used to make certain medical agents and electronics. In the past, thallium was used in rodent killers and hair removal products. People may be exposed to thallium from coal-burning and smelting processes that produce fine particles of the metal.

What does thallium do to people?

Studies in people who ingested large amounts of thallium over a short time have reported vomiting, diarrhea, temporary hair loss, and effects on the nervous system, lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys. It has caused death. It is not known what the effects are from ingesting low levels of thallium over a long time.

What is the element thallium used for?

Uses of thallium. Thallium is used in photoresistors, infrared optical equipment, low melting glasses and several other applications. Thallium sulfate has been used as a rodent and ant killer because it’s odorless and tasteless.