Occupational and Environmental Exposure Risks to Barium and Barium Compounds in Puerto Rico

Barium is a silvery-white metal which exists in nature in ores containing mixtures of elements. It combines with other chemicals such as sulfur or carbon and oxygen to form various barium compounds. These compounds are also used to make a number of products, including some paints, bricks, ceramics, glass and rubber. They are also used by the oil and gas industries to make drilling muds.
 
There are number of potential health effects due to exposure to elevated levels of barium. For example, inhaling barium can irritate the nose, throat and lungs, and direct contact can irritate and burn the skin or eyes. Barium may damage the kidneys and exposure to high levels may result in barium poisoning which can have serious consequences.   
 
To protect workers and the public, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a limit for barium in drinking water. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for barium compounds and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs).
 
“The primary routes of exposure to barium and barium compounds are through inhalation or ingesting food or water that contains it,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “In some occupations dermal exposure can also be a concern. Living in areas with unusually high natural levels of barium in the drinking water, working in a job that involves barium production or use, and living or working near waste sites where barium has been disposed of are all ways people could be exposed reports the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR).”
 
In Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean, the environmental and industrial hygiene professionals at Zimmetry offer testing, monitoring and consulting services to identify and mitigate exposure risks to barium and other heavy metals, as well as barium compounds and a wide array of other chemicals. Zimmetry has even sponsored an educational video about barium exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/cluemoIaVPQ
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their industrial hygiene, environmental, air quality, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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