I had an upper GI xray done recently, and apparently barium sulfate is quite insoluble in water. This sort of presents a problem, as I can't flush the toilet of the barium now! The water is sort of cloudy, like the barium is hanging in suspension. Are there any household products that will cause a reaction that produces water soluble chemicals that will flush properly? I've tried bleach and that didn't really work.
2007-03-02 04:30:24 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
I'm afraid none of the household products that you can buy will do you any good. You best bet is just to clear the clog, and be done with it.
The BaSO4 will dissolve slowly in time, so it won't stay around forever, it's just you want it gone NOW. Plung or ROOTER it out.
Don't try the mad scientist approach and think conc H2SO4, NaOH, HCl, HNO3, are going to save the day - they won't! and will be more harmful for your pipes and skin in the long run!
2007-03-02 04:49:56 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to dissolve it, flush the toilet a few times. If that doesn't do it then the problem is not the barium sulfate, but rather in the plumbing or water reservoir. Barium sulfate is totally insoluble, and you won't get it to dissolve. In any case, having had to take a few of those delicious barium sulfate shakes myself for CT scans, the barium sulfate really shouldn't be coming out as a powder anyway, it should be mixed in with whatever else comes out...
2007-03-02 04:53:35 · answer #2 · answered by Some Body 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barium Sulfate is pretty insoluble stuff. And really its density is the reason it is not going away. But it will clear out in time over multiple flushes.
It sounds like the to offending toilet does not have very good siphoning effect. So that makes the clearing out process take more time. Try adding a bit of toilet paper (not so much as to clog) this will help maximize the siphoning effect.
If it still does not go away, my suggestion would be to bail out the toilet and then use a sponge to get the last amount of water out. Wash your hands well after stooping to this alternative. You can dump the water in your sink, since clarity is not an issue there.
2007-03-02 04:49:41 · answer #3 · answered by James H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Had a CT scan done recently, and I was pleasantly surprised that the barium did not taste as bad as I had imagined. If you pick it up from your doctor's office or lab the day before and chill in the refrigerator, it definitely helps. I use a straw and mouth mints to get the taste off my tongue when finished. The formula I was given has a mild vanilla/strawberry flavor, somewhat the same consistency as a milk shake. Or at least that was what I was imaging I was drinking. Good Luck!
2014-09-16 07:22:56 · answer #4 · answered by CFoley 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BaSO4 is a salt of constrained solubility in water . basically strains of Ba would come into answer with dozens of liters of water ! .by the type for X-raying, we are given this internally, because it supplies extra acceptable contrasts, & is rejected later w/o any harm.
2016-12-14 08:58:35 · answer #5 · answered by unck 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋