A review of antimony: Chemical species in the environment, toxicokinetics and toxicological effects in mammals, and comparison with arsenic.

Sb is a toxic metalloid used in industry and as medicine. Here we review Sb species in the environment, toxicokinetic and toxicological effects of Sb, and distinctions between Sb and As. Environmental mobility of Sb is lower than that of As. [Sb(OH)₆]⁻ (SbV) is the dominant in oxidized, neutral-pH waters. In the marine biota, the Sb species are less diverse than As. In humans, Sb accumulates in the liver and kidneys and is mainly excreted via urine. Unlike As, trimethylated compounds are detected besides SbV in human urine following inorganic Sb exposure. Similar to AsIII, SbIII has affinity for sulfhydryl groups, promotes oxidation stress, and inhibits DNA repair but its toxicity and bioavailability are lower than As. SbIII accumulates longer than AsIII and detoxification process is different from As. Further study is needed to clarify the toxicities of Sb metabolites, Sb methylation enzymes and Sb detoxification process in humans.