Antimony (Sb) in urine.

Antimony is a metal that has an unfavourable effect on many organ systems when its concentration in the body increases. Along with arsenic, this element belongs to the group of toxic metalloids. The main way of antimony intake into the body is with food and water. Antimony content in meat, chicken, river fish, vegetables and fruits does not exceed 1-10 ng/g. It is rapidly excreted from the body with urine and faeces. In acute or chronic intoxication with antimony, the highest concentration of this metal is observed in lung tissue, liver, kidney and thyroid gland. Its level in the blood is measured when acute or chronic poisoning with this metal is suspected. 

An ordinary person is practically not exposed to the risk of antimony poisoning, although cases of mass alimentary poisoning with antimony trioxide have been described when drinking beverages from containers whose enamel contained this compound. A person consumes about 5-7 microgrammes of antimony per day, with no adverse effects. In most cases intoxication occurs in occupational contact with this metal or during treatment with antimony preparations. Antimony and its compounds are actively used in industry. Thus, elemental antimony is necessary for the manufacture of semiconductors and diodes, antimony oxide - fireproof coating, antimony trisulphide - pyrotechnics, dyes and ruby glass.