Antimony :

Sources :

• Ores:- Stibnite and Valentite .
• Coal burning powerplants.
• Incinerators and mines .
• Realesed into air during volcanic eruption.
• Widely used as hardening agent in soft metal alloys.
• Colouring agents in dyes, varnishes, paints and glasses.
• Oraganic Antimony compound used as antiparasitic drugs.

  Mode of transmission  :

• Occupational exposure.
• Through air,water, food and soil.

Mechanism :

• The mechanism of antimony toxicity is not known because these compounds are chemically related to arsenic and arsine gas respectively.
• Antimony compounds probably act by binding to Sulfhyhydral groups, enhancing oxidative stress and inactivating key enzymes.

Clinical Signs :

• Acute Ingestion :
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea (often bloody).
• Hepatitis and renal insufficiency
• Acute Stibine Inhalation :
• Acute hemolysis – Anemia, jaundice, hemoglobinuria and renal failure.
• Chronic Exposure to dust and fumes :
• Headache, anorexia and dermatitis (Antimony spots).

Other symptoms:-

• Irregular respiration
• Abdominal pain
• Distaste for food
• Small mouth ulcers with salivation
• Albuminuria & glycosuria.

 Diagnosis :

• Occupational history
• Sign & symptoms
• Lab Test of blood and urine to determine Antimony level.

Treatment:

• Symptomatic & supportive treatment is most commonly used.
• Antimony – IV fluid therapy
• Stibine – may require blood transfusion
•  Drugs – BAL & Penicillamine.

Differential  Diagnosis:

• Lead
• Mercury
• Coccidisis