WHAT IS THALLIUM? (The Hindu)

  • 28 Oct 2023

What is the News ?

A woman uses Thallium to seek revenge from in-laws in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra

Facts About:

  • Thallium is a chemical element with the symbol "Tl" and atomic number 81 on the periodic table.
  • It is a rare and heavy metal that is often considered a post-transition metal.

                It is a soft, malleable metal that can easily be cut with a knife.

  • Historical Use: In the past, thallium compounds were used in rat poisons and insecticides, but their use has been largely discontinued due to their toxicity.
  • Electrical Conductivity: It has good electrical conductivity and is sometimes used in the manufacturing of electrical conductors.
  • Radioactive Isotope: Thallium has a radioactive isotope, thallium-201, which is used in medical imaging as a radioactive tracer in cardiac stress tests.
  • Chemical Properties: Thallium is chemically similar to lead and is often found in association with lead and zinc ores.
  • Applications: Despite its toxicity, thallium has some limited applications in industries, including the manufacture of electronics, optical glasses, and low-melting thermometers.
  • It is highly toxic to humans and is sometimes referred to as "the poisoner's poison" due to its extreme toxicity.

Exposure to thallium can cause a variety of health problems, including hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, peripheral neuropathy, and seizures.

In severe cases, thallium poisoning can be fatal.

  • Due to its toxicity, thallium is a highly regulated substance and its use is restricted to a limited number of industrial applications, and it is not available to consumers.