Antimony [Sb, 51]

Antimony compounds, primarily sodium antimonate, are also used in decolorizing and refining agents for optical glass and cathode ray tube glass. Antimony and its compounds are considered to be serious pollutants, and their concentration in sewage sludge is recently of concern. Especially, Antimony released from coal combustion is an important pollutant due to its small-sized aerial particles, high solubility, and reactivity. Soil contamination with Antimony is often reported, mainly for soils at hazardous waste sites and soils around mining and smelter areas. Soils around various Antimony smelters contain this metal ranging from 109 to 2550 mg/kg. Antimony released to the atmosphere is in the forms of oxides, sulfide, and elemental Sb. Natural sources of Antimony and its compounds are volcanic eruption, sea salt spray, forest fires, and wind-blown dust. Antimony anthropogenic emission is mainly from fossil fuel combustion, incineration of wastes and cement kilns, and various metallurgical industries.