Lung tumors have been observed in rats exposed to antimony trioxide by inhalation. Two oral studies reported no change in the incidence of cancer in rats fed antimony for a lifetime. However, the usefulness of these studies is limited because only one dose was used. Physical Properties Antimony is a silvery-white metal that is found in the earth's crust. Antimony ores are mined and then either changed to antimony metal or combined with oxygen to form antimony oxide.
Antimony oxide is a white powder that is insoluble in water.
Antimony metal is a very brittle, moderately hard metal. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Toxicology Information Program, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD. 1993. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Toxicology Information Program, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD. 1993.