Human Exposure to Antimony: I. Sources and Intake

Human beings are exposed to antimony through air, water, and food sources. The authors present and critically discuss the literature information on Sb concentrations in those corresponding sources and intake by humans. Concentrations in air particulate matter vary from a few pg m−3 in remote areas to a few ng m−3 in urban areas and much more in some contaminated sites. Most Sb concentrations in drinking water are below the 1.0 μg·L−1 level, except for some bottled waters that can show higher level under extended conditions of storage. All concentrations in food fall generally well below the 1.0 μg·g−1 on a dry weight basis, suggesting little concern in terms of Sb uptake from this category.