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Source: The post is based on the article “What is Thallium and why murderers use this poison” published in “TOI” on 30th October 2023
Why in the News?
An agricultural scientist in Maharashtra has used Thallium to poison her in-laws.
What is Thallium?
| Specification | Details |
| Discovered by | Sir William Crookes in 1861 |
| Characteristics | (1)It does not freely occur in nature. (2)It has no colour, odour or taste. |
| Known as | Poisoner’s Poison |
| Found in | Small amount in earth’s crust |
| Health impact | Extremely toxic when ingested or inhaled.It leads to the development of nervous and gastrointestinal disorders as well as rapid hair loss. |
| Treatment | Prussian blue is used to remove thallium from the body. |
| Uses | (1)Used mostly in manufacturing electronic devices and switches. (2)Limited use in the manufacture of special glass and for certain medical procedures. (3)Has been used as a rodent and ant killer. However, the use of the product has been prohibited since 1972 in the United States. |
UPSC Syllabus: Science and Technology
