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Step 1
Know the symptoms of barium poisoning. The most common ones include anxiety, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath and weakness. Larger doses cause paralysis and death. These symptoms may be caused by replacement of potassium by barium in the body, which prevents the potassium from being used.
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Step 2
Get a medical examination. Barium poisoning usually must be determined clinically because no routine laboratory tests exist for barium exposure.
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Step 3
Test for barium levels directly. There are complex tests which can detect the level of barium in the body, but these are not helpful in determining the extent of the exposure. These tests are normally performed only in severe cases.
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Step 4
Administer first aid. For poisoning by inhalation, move the victim to fresh air and give artificial respiration if needed. Flush out the eyes thoroughly if the eyes have come into contact with poisonous barium compounds. If a soluble salt such as barium chlorate has been ingested, vomiting should be induced.
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Step 5
Seek treatment in a hospital setting immediately. The physician should administer 5 to 10 grams of sodium sulphate or magnesium sulfate. This should convert the poisonous barium salts to the insoluble and nontoxic barium sulphate.
