Antimony: Uses and Dangers
Antimony is a metal used in plastics and textiles as a flame retardant. It is often combined with lead to create a stronger compound than either alone. It’s thought that Antimony was used in traditional Kohl eyeliner and it is currently used in some modern cosmetics. It’s also used to improve the storage capabilities of lead batteries. It’s found naturally occurring in over 100 minerals within the Earth’s crust and was historically commonly mistaken for lead. Today, China is the main producer of antimony supplying over 85% of the world’s supply.
Antimony also makes an appearance in a wide variety of products meant for children. Glitter glue and other adhesives, backpacks and pencil cases, and prams are all items in which antimony has been detected. This isn’t surprising as it’s often used in the production of paints, glass, pottery and enamels.
The issue with this is that antimony is a known carcinogen. Research has shown a measurable increase in lung cancer for workers regularly exposed to antimony. It’s toxicity is similar to that of arsenic. According to the PubChem Hazard summary, everyone is exposed to low levels of antimony in the environment but acute exposure to antimony, particularly through inhalation, causes inflammation. It irritates the lungs and can cause chronic bronchitis, chronic emphysema as well as irritation to the eyes and skin. Persistent contact with airborne antimony can also cause latent tuberculosis and pneumoconiosis. Inhalation can also cause gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and ulcers.
Recognizing the negative health impacts of antimony, certain states have started to require antimony content testing for a wide variety of textiles, especially those meant for children. One study suggested a significant amount of antimony exposure from clothing just from the wearer sweating, particularly in polyester clothing. We are also finding a higher amount of antimony in water from mining and industrial production. Antimony is still used in so many forms of industry that it’s important to know how it could and does impact our health. Water standards set by the EPA require contamination to be lower than 6ppb in the US but other sources of exposure are currently poorly regulated.
If you have questions about a product or textile you or your family uses, don’t hesitate to reach out to ERC. We may have more information about your product or be able to assist you if you suspect heavy metal contamination from a specific item or brand.