Summary of the Public Health Goal for Antimony
A Public Health Goal (PHG) of 20 ppb is developed for antimony and its compounds in drinking water. Humans who ingest large amounts of antimony have severe stomach upset resulting in vomiting. Antimony fumes and dusts inhaled by workers are associated with the development of benign tumors of the lungs, dermatitis and less commonly, effects on the heart and kidneys. Laboratory animals exposed to antimony by inhalation or ingestion exhibit effects similar to those noted in humans. At the present time there is insufficient evidence to suggest that antimony compounds cause malignant tumors by inhalation in humans or animals. By ingestion, there is no evidence that antimony compounds are associated with increased development of any tumors in animals. The PHG for antimony was calculated based on minor clinical signs and a slight decrease in longevity noted in a chronic oral study conducted in rats. Other information used to develop the PHG included estimates of human exposure to antimony derived from measurements taken of levels of antimony in air, food and water. Based on this information and other assumptions used in risk assessment, OEHHA calculated a PHG of 0.02 mg/L (20 ppb) for antimony in drinking water.
- Antimony