ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a detailed discussion on the occurrence and production, uses, chemical and physical properties, exposure and exposure limits, toxicokinetics, and effects of bismuth in humans. Bismuth is mainly found as the free metal and in the mineral bismuthinite. Bismuth is used to produce low-melting alloys for use in fusible elements of specialized products such as automatic sprinklers. It is also added to steel and iron to produce castings that can be machined more easily. The oxide and nitrate forms of bismuth are widely used in glass and ceramics manufacture. Soluble bismuth preparations are absorbed since they are detectable in the urine rapidly after intramuscular injections of bismuth solutions. The effects of bismuth in humans include information on acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, biochemistry, specific organs and systems, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. Bismuth can replace lead at its absorption sites putting enough lead in circulation to cause symptoms of lead poisoning.
