Some data may have been extracted from scientific literature using a pipeline that uses large language models (LLMs). Source articles are cited where applicable to help verify the extracted relationships.
Thorium (Th) is an exogenous solid with an average molecular weight of 232.04 g/mol. Thorium belongs to the homogeneous actinide compounds, a class of homogeneous metal compounds within the inorganic compounds. Its industrial roles include use as a fuel (PMC6760909 ), catalyst (PMC6760909 ), and additive (PMC13066942 ), while it is also identified as an environmental contaminant (PMC13030094 ). It is not detected in Polyethylene Terephthalate or Polystyrene. Recorded sources of the compound include Tobacco Smoke Filters, Food contact materials, Fermentation Processes For Beer, and Electrical & Electronic Equipment such as Antennas, Amplifiers, Electric Hearing Aids, Auxiliary Devices, and Discharge Lamps. Exposure routes include oral, touch, and inhalation (PMC13030094 ).
The ionizing radiation produced by thorium causes cellular damage, including genetic instability, chromosomal change, gene mutations, apoptosis, DNA breakage, and accurate or inaccurate repair, leading to the development of malignancy and loss of normal cell and tissue homeostasis. Health effects associated with thorium include cancer (PMC7020170 ), angiosarcoma (PMC5102718 ), inflammation (PMC4927569 ), and an increase in lung cancer (PMC13030094 ) and schizophrenia (PMC2643957 , PMC9119869 ). Further associated effects include fatigue, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism (PMC9119869 ), as well as dizziness, drowsiness, edema, heart failure, anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia (PMC6360670 ). Additionally, it is associated with a decrease in obesity (PMC7584160 ) and is decreased in blood in cases of hypothyroidism (PMC2592280 ). Conversely, thorium is used as a treatment for bleeding and gastrointestinal bleeding, exhibiting a therapeutic effect on bleeding (PMC6360670 ).
Belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as homogeneous actinide compounds. These are inorganic compounds containing only metal atoms,with the largest atom being a transition metal atom.
carcinogenic agent (PMC7470770 )?A role played by a chemical compound which is known to induce a process of carcinogenesis by corrupting normal cellular pathways, leading to the acquistion of tumoral capabilities.
toxin (PMC4927569 )?A chemical substance naturally produced by an organism and poisonous to other organisms
Chemical Roles
Not Available
Organoleptic Effects
Not Available
Physical Properties
State
Solid
Appearance
Thorium is an air-stable silvery-white solid metal. (2)
The ionizing radiation produced by thorium causes cellular damage that includes DNA breakage, accurate or inaccurate repair, apoptosis, gene mutations, chromosomal change, and genetic instability. This leads to loss of normal cell and tissue homeostasis, and development of malignancy. Ionizing radiation that does not directly damage DNA can produce reactive oxygen intermediates that directly affect the stability of p53, an important enzyme in cell-cycle regulation, and produce oxidative damage to individual bases in DNA and point mutations by mispairing during DNA replication. (3)
Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation results in acute radiation syndrome, which can cause skin burns, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, disorientation, low blood pressure, headache, fatigue, weakness, fever, birth defects, illness, infection, and death. (3, 5)
Treatment
Treatment reversing the effects of irradiation is currently not possible. Anaesthetics and antiemetics are administered to counter the symptoms of exposure, as well as antibiotics for countering secondary infections due to the resulting immune system deficiency. (5)
Health Effects
Health Effect
Relationship
Direction
Description
Reference
lung cancer
Associated With?
increase
A respiratory system cancer that is located in the lung. (DO)
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements. There are over 100 types of cancers affect humans. The risk of developing certain cancers can be reduced by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, not drinking too much alcohol, eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, vaccination against certain infectious diseases, not eating too much processed and red meat and avoiding too much sunlight exposure. Cancer is often treated with some combination of radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The majority of cancers, some 90–95% of cases, are due to genetic mutations from environmental and lifestyle factors. The remaining 5–10% are due to inherited genetics.
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements. There are over 100 types of cancers affect humans. The risk of developing certain cancers can be reduced by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, not drinking too much alcohol, eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, vaccination against certain infectious diseases, not eating too much processed and red meat and avoiding too much sunlight exposure. Cancer is often treated with some combination of radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The majority of cancers, some 90–95% of cases, are due to genetic mutations from environmental and lifestyle factors. The remaining 5–10% are due to inherited genetics.
A disorder characterized by a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin in 100 ml of blood. Signs and symptoms of anemia may include pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, shortness of breath, palpitations of the heart, soft systolic murmurs, lethargy, and fatigability. (NCI CTCAE)
A disorder characterized by reduced bone mass, with a decrease in cortical thickness and in the number and size of the trabeculae of cancellous bone (but normal chemical composition), resulting in increased fracture incidence. (NCI CTCAE)
A disorder characterized by a state of generalized weakness with a pronounced inability to summon sufficient energy to accomplish daily activities. (NCI CTCAE)
A disorder characterized by the inability of the heart to pump blood at an adequate volume to meet tissue metabolic requirements, or, the ability to do so only at an elevation in the filling pressure. (NCI CTCAE)
Soil?Soil serves as a critical medium for plant growth and sustains various ecological functions; however, it can become a reservoir for synthetic chemical contamination.
Stormwater runoff?Stormwater runoff refers to the flow of rainwater or melted snow that does not soak into the ground and instead collects pollutants as it travels over impervious surfaces such as roads and parking lots.
Drinking water?Drinking water can be a medium for synthetic chemical contamination, often originating from various industrial processes and agricultural practices.
Ballast water?Ballast water, taken on by ships to maintain stability and balance, often contains a diverse array of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and plankton.
Bilge water?Bilge water is a byproduct generated from the accumulation of water in the lowest part of a ship's hull, which may include a mixture of seawater, oil, fuel residues, and various contaminants.
Brushes?Brushes used in personal care and cosmetics can be a source of synthetic chemical contamination due to the materials and coatings used in their manufacturing.
Food contact materials?Food contact materials refer to substances and products that are intended to come into contact with food during processing, packaging, or preparation.
Amplifiers?Amplifiers, commonly used in various electronic devices to enhance signal strength, can be a source of synthetic chemical contamination due to the materials and processes involved in their production and disposal.
Antennas?Antennas, commonly used in communication technologies, can be a source of synthetic chemical contamination through the materials and coatings used in their construction.
Conductors Or Conductive Bodies Characterised By The Conductive Materials?Conductors, or conductive bodies, are materials that allow the flow of electrical current, typically made from metals such as copper, aluminum, or silver.
Discharge Lamps?Discharge lamps, including fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, are commonly used for lighting applications due to their energy efficiency and brightness.
Electric Switches?Electric switches, integral components in numerous devices, can be a source of synthetic chemical contamination due to the materials and manufacturing processes involved in their production.
Electrodes?Electrodes, used in various electrical and electronic applications, can be a source of synthetic chemical contamination due to the materials from which they are constructed and the processes involved in their manufacturing.
Emergency Protective Devices?Emergency protective devices, such as circuit breakers and surge protectors, are essential components in electrical systems designed to prevent damage from overcurrent and surges.
Fixed Capacitors And Their Manufacture?Fixed capacitors are passive electronic components used to store and release electrical energy, playing a critical role in various circuits.
Gas Filled Discharge Tubes With Solid Cathode?Gas Filled Discharge Tubes with Solid Cathodes are electrical components that facilitate the flow of current by ionizing gas within a sealed tube.
Hybrid Capacitors?Hybrid capacitors are energy storage devices that combine the properties of electrolytic and supercapacitors, utilizing a combination of electrochemical principles to achieve higher energy density and power density.
Line Transmission Systems?Line Transmission Systems, commonly used for the distribution of electrical energy, can be a source of synthetic chemical contamination through the insulation materials and coatings utilized in their construction.
Loudspeakers?Loudspeakers, as components in audio systems, can be sources of synthetic chemical contamination primarily due to the materials used in their construction.
Magnets?Magnets, commonly used in various electrical and electronic applications, can be a source of synthetic chemical contamination due to the materials used in their production.
Power Cables?Power cables are used to transmit electrical energy and are typically composed of conductive materials, insulation, and protective coatings.
Sparking Plugs?Spark plugs are critical components in internal combustion engines, facilitating the ignition of fuel-air mixtures by generating a spark.
Superconducting Magnets And Superconducting Coils?Superconducting magnets and coils are utilized in various applications that require strong magnetic fields, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and particle accelerators.
Superconductive Or Hyperconductive Conductors Cables Or Transmission Lines?Superconductive or hyperconductive conductors, including cables and transmission lines, are materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance under specific conditions, typically at low temperatures.
Television Systems?Television systems can be a source of synthetic chemical contamination due to the various materials and components used in their manufacture and operation.
Thin Magnetic Films?Thin magnetic films are layers of magnetic material ranging from a few nanometers to several micrometers in thickness, commonly used in applications such as magnetic sensors, data storage devices, and electronic components.
Food Preservation?Food preservation often involves the use of synthetic chemicals, such as preservatives, flavor enhancers, and color additives, to extend shelf life and enhance the sensory qualities of food products.
Perfumes Within Detergents And Soaps?Perfumes within detergents and soaps are synthetic fragrance compounds added to enhance the sensory experience of cleaning products.
Soap Detergents?Soap detergents are synthetic surfactants designed to enhance the cleaning efficacy of water by reducing surface tension, allowing for better interaction with dirt and grease.
Tobacco Smoke Filters?Tobacco smoke filters are designed to reduce the inhalation of harmful substances in cigarette smoke, including tar and other particulate matter.
Making Cigars?The process of making cigars involves several steps, including the cultivation of tobacco, fermentation, and the application of various additives to enhance flavor and preservation.
Manufacture Of Iron Or Steel?The manufacture of iron or steel involves various processes, including smelting, refining, and alloying, which can result in the release of synthetic chemicals and contaminants.
Manufacture Preparation Of Tobacco Products?The manufacture and preparation of tobacco products involve various processes that can result in the introduction of synthetic chemicals into the environment.
Paper Making Machines?Paper making machines utilize various synthetic chemicals throughout the production process, including additives, coatings, and bleaching agents.
Buoys?Buoys, often used for navigation and marine monitoring, can be sources of synthetic chemical contamination due to the materials and coatings employed in their construction.
Marine Propulsion Or Steering?Marine propulsion and steering systems often rely on various synthetic chemicals, including lubricants, fuels, and hydraulic fluids.
Ships?Ships, as vehicles for international trade and transportation, can be significant sources of synthetic chemical contamination in marine environments.
Fertiliser Distributors?Fertiliser distributors play a critical role in the supply of synthetic fertilizers, which are widely used to enhance soil fertility and crop yield.
Aftersun Products?Aftersun products are designed to soothe and hydrate the skin after sun exposure, often containing various synthetic chemicals such as emollients, preservatives, and fragrances.
Anti Perspirants Or Body Deoderants?Antiperspirants and body deodorants commonly contain synthetic chemicals such as aluminum compounds, parabens, and synthetic fragrances.
Eye Makeup Products?Eye makeup products, including mascaras, eyeliners, and eyeshadows, often contain a variety of synthetic chemicals such as pigments, preservatives, and film-forming agents.
Lip Makeup Products?Lip makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip liners, often contain a variety of synthetic chemicals, including pigments, preservatives, and emollients.
Footwear?Footwear production often involves the use of various synthetic chemicals, such as adhesives, dyes, and treatments, which can contribute to environmental contamination.
Headwear?Headwear made from synthetic materials often incorporates chemicals used in the manufacturing and finishing processes, such as dyes, flame retardants, and water repellents.
Purses Luggage Hand Bags?Purses, luggage, and handbags are often manufactured using synthetic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, and various types of nylon.
Ropes?Ropes manufactured from synthetic fibers, such as polypropylene, nylon, and polyester, are widely used in various applications, including marine, construction, and outdoor activities.
Surface Finishing Of Leather?Surface finishing of leather often involves the use of various synthetic chemicals, including dyes, resins, and finishing agents.
Yarns Or Threads?Yarns or threads used in textiles can be a source of synthetic chemical contamination due to the production processes and treatments they undergo.
Fire Fighting Gels?Fire fighting gels are synthetic chemical formulations designed to enhance fire suppression effectiveness by creating a protective barrier against heat and flames.
Solid Fire Fighting Substances?Solid fire fighting substances, such as certain types of dry chemical powders, are used in fire suppression applications to extinguish flames and prevent fire spread.
Airplanes And Helicopters?Airplanes and helicopters are significant sources of synthetic chemical contamination primarily through the use of aviation fuels, lubricants, and de-icing agents.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles?Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, utilize various synthetic chemicals in their manufacturing, operation, and maintenance processes.
Nitrogenous Fertilisers?Nitrogenous fertilizers are synthetic chemical compounds primarily used to enhance plant growth by supplying essential nitrogen, a crucial nutrient for photosynthesis and protein synthesis.
Cements?Cements are a composite material primarily used as a binding agent in construction applications, formed by the calcination of limestone and clay minerals at high temperatures.
Clay Wares?Clay wares are ceramic products made from natural clay, often utilized in various construction applications such as tiles, bricks, and sanitary ware.
Glass Coatings?Glass coatings are synthetic chemical formulations applied to glass surfaces to enhance properties such as durability, UV resistance, and aesthetic appeal.
Lime?Lime, primarily comprised of calcium oxide (CaO) or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), is widely used in various applications, including as a key ingredient in mortars, plasters, and cement.
Non Oxide Glass?Non-oxide glass refers to a category of glasses primarily composed of materials other than silicon dioxide, such as boron oxide or phosphorous oxide.
Silica Free Oxide Glass?Silica Free Oxide Glass is a type of glass that is produced using alternative materials to traditional silica-based formulations.
Silica Glass?Silica glass, primarily composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2), is widely used in various applications, including windows, glass facades, and insulation materials.
Nanotechnology?Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of materials at the molecular or atomic level, typically within the range of 1 to 100 nanometers.
Submarines?Submarines, while essential for military and research purposes, can be a source of synthetic chemical contamination due to their use of various industrial chemicals.
Mining Or Quarrying?Mining and quarrying operations can lead to synthetic chemical contamination through the release of various pollutants associated with the extraction and processing of minerals.
Chalks?Chalks, primarily composed of calcium carbonate, are commonly used in various industrial applications, including as fillers and coatings in the production of paper and related products.
Pens?Pens, commonly utilized for writing and marking, can be a source of synthetic chemical contamination primarily due to the materials used in their manufacturing.
Coating Compositions?Coating compositions, which include paints, sealants, and varnishes, are formulated with a variety of synthetic chemicals such as solvents, resins, pigments, and additives.
Chemical Igniters?Chemical igniters are substances or devices designed to initiate combustion in various applications, often found in products like lighters, candles, and certain household cleaning agents.
Leather Tanning?Leather tanning is a process that transforms raw animal hides into durable leather through the application of various chemicals, including chromium salts, aldehydes, and vegetable tannins.
Sludge Treatment?Sludge treatment involves the processing of waste materials generated from wastewater treatment plants, which often contain a variety of organic and inorganic substances.
Water, Wastewater, & Sewage Treatment?Water, wastewater, and sewage treatment processes are critical for managing and mitigating pollutants in water systems.
International Agency for Research on Cancer (2014). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. http://monographs.iarc.fr/index.php
ATSDR - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (1999). Toxicological profile for ionizing radiation. U.S. Public Health Service in collaboration with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp149.html
ATSDR - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (1990). Toxicological profile for thorium. U.S. Public Health Service in collaboration with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp147.html
