Although the toxicity values presented in these toxicity profiles were correct at the time they were produced, these values are subject to change. Users should always refer to the Toxicity Value Database for the currect toxicity values. Download a WordPerfect version of this toxicity profile. Managed by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. The majority of sulfates are soluble in water with the exception of lead, barium, and strontium sulfates.
Sulfates can contribute to an undesirable taste in water.
No inhalation, or developmental toxicity data were available, and no carcinogenicity data were located. Sulfates are discharged into surface waters in the atmospheric fallout from coal-fired power plants, and from the metallurgical roasting process. The measurements were taken from 1980 to 1986 in 54,000 samples from 381 sites. Sulfates have been shown to increase the absorption of fluoride from the rat intestinal tract. Calcium sulfate, for example, is much less potent than magnesium sulfate or sodium sulfate.