Mr. Chemikaze, the stockroom coordinator at Big Chem Co., found an un-labeled bo

Question

Mr. Chemikaze, the stockroom coordinator at Big Chem Co., found an un-labeled bottle that needs to be properly disposed. The liquid in the bottle is clear and colorless, and must be identified before it can be sent to the disposal center. He is fairly certain that the bottle contains an aqueous barium chloride solution. Since it is cheaper to dispose of solids than liquids, Mr. Chemikaze decides to precipitate the two ions separately, as this will help him confirm his initial assumptions.

a. Describe a set of chemical reactions or laboratory procedures that would allow him to confirm that the cation was indeed barium.

b. Describe why barium must be disposed of properly. What are the health effects of excess barium in drinking water? What is the maximum allowable concentration of barium in public water systems?

c. Why aren%u2019t we as concerned with the chloride?

Explanation / Answer

If barium is present, then the addition of sodium sulfate, Na2SO4 will produced a BaSO4 precipitate. After allowing the precipitate to dry, the solid may be disposed of. Since barium sulfate is so insoluble, barium is unlikely to enter the environment in a toxic form.

For more hazard info on barium sulfate, check out the MSDS.http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&%u2026

Potential Acute Health Effects: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation.
Potential Chronic Health Effects:
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available. The substance is toxic to lungs, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.

Wikipedia says, "Water-soluble barium compounds are poisonous. At low doses, barium ions act as a muscle stimulant, whereas higher doses affect the nervous system, causing cardiac irregularities, tremors, weakness, anxiety, dyspnea and paralysis. This may be due to the ability of Ba2+ to block potassium ion channels, which are critical to the proper function of the nervous system. Other target organs for water-soluble barium compounds (i.e., barium ions) are eyes, immune system, heart, respiratory system, and skin. They affect the body strongly, causing, for example, blindness and sensitization. Barium is not carcinogenic, and it does not bioaccumulate. However, inhaled dust containing insoluble barium compounds can accumulate in the lungs, causing a benign condition called baritosis. For comparison to the soluble poisons, the insoluble sulfate is nontoxic and is thus not classified as dangerous.

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