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. Barium carbonate is too expensive.
2. Barium carbonate is soluble in plain wa-
ter.
3. All carbonates are toxic, whether soluble
or not.
4. Stomachs contain HCl and all carbonates
dissolve in acid.
Yeah, 4 is correct.
4 is correct
4 is correct!
bobpursley you jerk! 4 was the answer!
so what would be the answer?
You're all jerks 4 isn't the answer
Hmmm. 4 is wrong, but here is the answer: If one swallowed a carbonate, on reaction with HCl in the stomach, vast amounts of carbon dioxide would be released. Imagine what that would do to the stomach, and worse, if an ulcer (hole) in the stomach lining were there, the carbon dioxide would....
X ray studies need to see the organs as is, not blown up like a large beach ball.