What type of substance is it?
Antimony is a chemical element with partly-metallic and partly non-metallic properties which occurs naturally in the earth's crust. It is chemically similar to arsenic. Exposure to high levels of antimony may cause harmful effects to wildlife.
How is it released?
Man-made sources of antimony include waste incinerators and coal burning power stations. It is also emitted due to the combustion of petroleum products, particularly from car exhausts. Since antimony occurs naturally in the earth's crust, it is found in soils, sediments and natural waters, generally at low concentrations.
Detailed information
Scientific name:
Antimony, Sb
Other names:
Antimony metal, antimony element, antimony black, antimony regulus, antymon, antimony powder, various compounds of antimony.
CAS Number:
7440-36-0
Antimony compounds are used as a treatment for some parasite infestations. Commonly found compounds of antimony include antimony pentasulphide, antimony trichloride, antimony chloride, and antimony trioxide.
Antimony is not usually used on its own but is mixed into alloys. It is used in lead storage batteries, solder, sheet and pipe metal, bearings, castings and pewter. The compound antimony oxide is used in plastics and textiles to reduce flammability. It is also used in paints and ceramics, and as an enamel for plastics, metal and glass.
Antimony is a silvery white, brittle metal of medium hardness. It is sometimes referred to as a metalloid because it displays characteristics of both metallic and non-metallic elements. Elemental antimony is stable under ordinary conditions and is not readily attacked by air or water. It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. Antimony can combine with other elements to form a wide range of chemical compounds.
Where is it released?
The main releases from human activity include emissions by waste incinerators, smelters and through industrial coal combustion. In urban areas, industrial dusts and exhaust gases of cars and oil fuels are the main man-made antimony sources. Antimony is a naturally occurring mineral in the earth's crust and is therefore found in soils, rivers and lakes, generally at low concentrations. High concentrations may be present in water draining deposits with high levels of the substance, such as in mine drainage water.
Local environmental effects
Most antimony that is released into the environment ends up in soils. It is classed as toxic to aquatic organisms. High exposure to antimony can lead to similar health problems in animals to those that occur in humans. Antimony metal can be released in drainage water from mines (including disused mines).
Global environmental effects
No significant global impacts are considered likely.
Possible health concerns
Excessive exposure to antimony may affect the digestive system, eye, heart, kidney, lung and skin. The Environment Agency aims to ensure that environmental exposures are too low harm human health.
Legislation
Why was this substance selected for the Pollution Inventory?
Included in : Heavy metals of Agency concern & included under Annex 1 of the European Union IPPC Directive.
Standard risk phrases for the pure substance
The standard risk phrases provided here are generally those used by suppliers of chemicals to describe substances - for example on packaging materials. The most important source of these phrases are the CHIP Regulations - Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) - provided by the Health and Safety Executive. Some substances do not have CHIP risk phrases and in these circumstances we have used other risk phrases, the sources of which are indicated.
EU Directive 67/548/EEC Annex 1 Phrase(s) : N: Dangerous for the Environment; Xn: Harmful; R20/22: Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed; R51/53: Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
Controlling legislation and international agreements
Releases of antimony are controlled under the UK Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Regulations 2000, which implement the EC Directive 96/61 on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control. Its release is also covered by at least two EC Directives: Directive 84/360/EEC on the 'Combating of air pollution from industrial plants' and Directive 91/689/EEC on 'Hazardous Waste'. Internationally, antimony is covered by an international agreement called the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.
These factsheets have been compiled to provide users with information on the Pollution Inventory substances and represent our best efforts to summarise a large number of disparate and sometimes conflicting data sources. We emphasise that this information describes potential hazards rather than actual effects and that the Environment Agency seeks to regulate releases to minimise emissions and hence any risk of detrimental effects occurring.
