Question

Although soluble barium compounds are toxic, suspensions of insoluble barium sul- fate are routinely swallowed for upper gas- trointestinal X-ray studies. Why is barium carbonate not used?

1.All carbonates are toxic, whether soluble or not.
2.Barium carbonate is too expensive.
3.Barium carbonate is soluble in plain wa-
ter.
4. Stomachs contain HCl and all carbonates dissolve in acid.

Answer 1

The correct answer is 4. Stomachs contain HCl and all carbonates dissolve in acid. Barium sulfate is insoluble and does not dissolve in either water or the acidic environment of the stomach, so it provides an opaque contrast for X-rays. Barium carbonate, on the other hand, is soluble and would dissolve in the acid environment of the stomach, making it unsuitable for use as a contrast agent for X-ray studies.

Step-by-step explanation: