Tantalum (CED0002514)

Tantalum (Ta) is a chemical element with an average molecular weight of 180.95 g/mol. Tantalum belongs to the homogeneous transition metal compounds, a class of homogeneous metal compounds within the inorganic compounds. In industrial contexts, it serves as a reducing agent (PMC8694633) and as a degradant or impurity (PMC12133637, PMC13315809, PMC9561993, PMC9698264). Biologically, the compound acts as an antioxidant (PMC12133637, PMC13315809, PMC9561993, PMC9698264) and a corrosion inhibitor (PMC11035603). Regarding health effects, tantalum is associated with necrosis (PMC4189275), although it has a therapeutic effect on inflammation (PMC10682016). Tantalum is found in or released from 49 recorded sources. These include electrical and electronic equipment such as amplifiers, antennas, coils, adjustable resistors, and auxiliary devices. It is present in household items including coins, medals, and key rings, as well as household cleaning and consumer products like bleaching agents, ash trays, cigar cigarettes, pipe accessories, and other smoking requisites. Within building and construction, it is found in roofs, ceilings, fencing, ladders, and stairs and ramps. Additionally, it is associated with food, food processing and cookware, specifically in the processing of fish and fermentation processes for beer. In studies of plastics, tantalum was not detected in polyethylene terephthalate or polystyrene.