What happens to thallium when it enters the environment?
• Thallium enters the environment primarily from coal-burning and smelting, in which it is a trace contaminant of the raw materials. • It stays in the air, water, and soil for a long time and is not broken down. • Some thallium compounds are removed from the atmosphere in rain and snow. • It’s absorbed by plants and enters the food chain. • It builds up in fish and shellfish.
