The label says Antimony Pot Tartrate BP. It is a fine white powder. I found it in the medicine cabinet and have no idea what it is (I inherited the house with its contents). What is it used for and is it dangerous?
2006-10-05 12:47:36 · 11 answers · asked by TC 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The pot will be Potasium. Dont play around with chemicals that you find! Even the common asprin can be dangerous when it get old... In general Antimony can be pretty nasty. To kill someone using antimony in the form of APT (tartar emetic) only requires 300 mg for a child. The acute symptoms are similar to those caused by arsenic poisoning.
The clever dick bit : Toxicity of antimony depends upon its water solubility and the oxidation state of that specific type of antimony. In general, antimony(III) is more toxic than antimony(V), and the inorganic compounds are more toxic than the organic compounds, with stibin (SbH3), a lipophilic gas, being the most toxic if you breathe it in. Swallowing soluble antimony salts irritates the stomach lining and causes prolonged vomting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and heart problems.
Breathing antimony-containing dusts leads to irritation of the airways, myocardial and liver damage, and can trigger premature births and spontaneous abortions.
Medicinaly taking doses of antimony(III) can damage the eyesight by destroying the optic nerve and causing retinal bleeding. Symptoms also include headache, coughing, anorexia, sleep disturbance, vertigo and possible changes at cell level.
Breathing ATO has been associated with increased incidences of lung cancer.
2006-10-05 13:33:33 · answer #1 · answered by A Teesside Smart**** 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Antimony potassium tartrate is a fine white powder. References I found on it said it was an emetic (causing diarrhea) and an explosive and a plant food. In any case I would get rid of it.
2006-10-05 20:03:38 · answer #2 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably some kind of pest poison. All antimony compounds are poisonous. Dispose of it quickly and carefully.
2006-10-05 23:13:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah get rid of it, it's an old pesticide. Organo-metals aren't used anymore because they get in the watershed. You've got nasty stuff, too; trivalent antimony would kill you pretty quickly.
2006-10-06 19:03:32 · answer #4 · answered by sleeptablets 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try looking up it's scientific name.....tartar emetic
It is used as a mordant in dyeing. Medically, it was formerly used as an emetic and expectorant, to produce sweating, and in the treatment of several diseases, but had frequent toxic side effects.
i.e. similar to OPIUM, i do believe the new aston martin DB9 is now within your price range LOL
2006-10-05 20:00:23 · answer #5 · answered by The Dazzler 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh dear, I just found this:
WARNING! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. AFFECTS THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.
It sounds very nasty.
Its a pesticide. It used to be used in small doses as an emetic or expectorant (that sounds like a sily idea).
2006-10-05 19:51:31 · answer #6 · answered by Gone 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like a blood pressure medicine.
2006-10-05 19:54:40 · answer #7 · answered by Art The Wise 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mix it with vineger in a sealed vessel. report on what happens. I'll let you know then.
2006-10-05 20:05:12 · answer #8 · answered by Bush 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Snort some and see what happens.
2006-10-05 20:04:34 · answer #9 · answered by letem haveit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok, i have no clue, however, it could be a forgotten stash of cokaine take it to someone to get it tested
2006-10-05 19:50:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋