Barium nitrate fighters, such as the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire, during the Battle of Britain. It is also used in the manufacturing process of barium oxide, the vacuum tube industry and for green fire in pyrotechnics. Like all soluble barium compounds, barium nitrate is toxic by ingestion or inhalation. Solutions of sulfate salts such as Epsom salts or sodium sulfate may be given as first aid for barium poisoning, as they precipitate the barium as the insoluble (and non-toxic) barium sulfate. Inhalation may also cause irritation to the respiratory tract. While skin or eye contact is less harmful than ingestion or
Barium bromide and can cause severe poisoning if ingested. Barium bromide Barium bromide is the chemical compound with the formula BaBr. Like barium chloride, it dissolves well in water and is toxic in aqueous solution. BaBr crystallizes in a lead chloride motif, giving white orthorhombic crystals which are deliquescent. In aqueous solution BaBr behaves as a simple salt. Barium bromide reacts with the sulfate ion from sulfuric acid to produce a precipitate of barium sulfate. Similar reactions occur with oxalic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and phosphoric acid. Barium bromide can be prepared from barium sulfide or barium carbonate via reaction with hydrobromic acid