Barium

The 56^th element on the periodic table, barium was discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1808. Minerals composed of this element are very heavy, and thus, they are commonly referred to as "heavy spar."

The peroxide, chloride, sulfate, carbonate, nitrate and chlorate compounds of barium are notable. These compounds have a wide array of uses. The sulfate is a constituent in paints; barium carbonate is a rat poison; and the nitrate and chlorate are sources of the green colour in pyrotechnic devices.

Soluble barium compounds are hazardous to the heart. By acting as a muscle stimulant, barium ions can cause ventricular fibrillation – the loss of the heart's pumping ability. On the other hand, some insoluble barium compounds have valuable uses. Barium sulfate serves as a contrasting medium for X-rays in gastro-intestinal diagnostic tests. Since colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in North America, research efforts have been directed toward the development of detection tools.

The National Research Council Canada (NRC) continues to be at the forefront of innovative research in diagnostic testing technologies. In 2001, the NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics discovered a non-invasive diagnostic colon cancer test believed to be 95% accurate. Biochemical "fingerprints" in the body can be analyzed with magnetic resonance spectroscopy – a technique that uses radio frequency waves to study the chemistry of stool samples. Deviations from the fingerprints could serve as markers for cancer. This highly accurate test not only detects colon cancer, but also, can determine the existence of pre-cancerous growths.

Additional Information

Learn more about relevant NRC research:

• NRC-Institute for Biodiagnostics (NRC-IBD): New Patient-Friendly Test for Colon Cancer