Barium Removal
Barium is a divalent cation and alkaline earth metal that can be found in naturally occurring mineral
deposits. The health effects of the different barium compounds depend on how well the compound
dissolves in water. Barium compounds that do not dissolve well in water are not generally harmful
and are often used by doctors for medical purposes. If the sulfate concentration in the water is high,
then the precipitation of barium as a sulfate salt reduces its potential for adverse health effects.
Those barium compounds that dissolve well in water may cause harmful health effects in people. Ingesting high levels of soluble barium compounds that dissolve well in water over the short term has resulted in difficulties in breathing, increased blood pressure, changes in heart rhythm, stomach irritation, brain swelling, muscle weakness, and damage to the liver, kidney, heart, and spleen.
Those barium compounds that dissolve well in water may cause harmful health effects in people. Ingesting high levels of soluble barium compounds that dissolve well in water over the short term has resulted in difficulties in breathing, increased blood pressure, changes in heart rhythm, stomach irritation, brain swelling, muscle weakness, and damage to the liver, kidney, heart, and spleen.
