TIN: Small But Powerful

DEFINITION: Tin (Sn) is a silvery, malleable metal that is not easily reactive in air. It is a metal that belongs to group 14 of the Periodic Table of Elements. The element is a soft, silvery-white metal that does not easily oxidize and is resistant from most chemical reactions. It is stable at and above room temperature. The element is primarily obtained from the mineral cassiterite by burning it with carbon. It makes up approximately 0.001% of the earth’s crust.

ORIGIN: This element’s term was derived from an Anglo-Saxon word. Its symbol (Sn) was derived from the Latin word “stannum”. There were no records as to how the element was discovered. However, accounts from the Old Testament show that the element has been widely used in the past. Metal workers from the past found the element to be too soft and malleable for most purposes. This brought the idea of mixing it with copper to create bronze, an alloy.

This element is also known to be one of the elements that were considered to be alchemical. This means that in ancient times, it was said to have the ability to transform other metals into gold.

EFFECTS:

1. Health: The element is found in almost all organic substances. Interestingly, while most of the elements inorganic form can be fatal to humans; this element’s organic form is considered to be fatal. The organic substances are the most dangerous for humans and despite the danger that it poses it is still widely used in the market. For instance, these organic substances are widely used in the paint and plastic industries. The agriculture sector also makes use of these substances through the application of pesticides on plants.

When exposed to humans, this element can bring about various adverse effects - from acute to long-term effects. Some of the short-term and acute effects include headaches, urination problems, eye and skin irritations, dizziness, sever sweating, and stomachaches. On the other hand, its long-term effects include depression, immune system malfunction, brain damage, shortage of red blood cells, and liver damage.

2. Environment: As mentioned above, the toxic organic form of this element is more fatal than its inorganic form. Organic components of this element can stay in the environment for considerably long periods of time, and these substances are not biodegradable. Even microorganisms designed to break these substances down are having trouble doing so. These organic substances can spread through water system, basically because they are used as protective coating on pipes, apparently to prevent the latter from corrosion.

When mixed with water, these substances can form sludge molecules which are highly toxic. When these molecules end up in bodies of water, they can cause huge damage to aquatic ecosystems.
Also, because these substances are insoluble in water, aquatic organisms will have a hard time breaking them down, and if these substances are taken in its organic form, it can also cause poisoning and destruction of their habitat.

3. Tin poisoning: This refers to exposure to the toxic effects of the element and its compounds. Though the element is known to be of no biological role in living organisms, its presence in the ecosystem is more of a threat than a benefit. The element is highly insoluble, thus, it is not easily absorbed by animals and humans. Therefore, taking in food containing certain levels of this element can bring about small to grave effects, depending on the levels. This is most common in canned goods containing high amounts of this element.

ELEMENT INFORMATION:
Symbol: Sn
Group: 14
Period: 5
Atomic Number: 50
Atomic Mass: 118.710
Density: 7.287 g/cm3
Melting Point: 231.93°C, 449.47°F, 505.08 K
Boiling Point: 2586°C, 4687°F, 2860 K
Classification: Other Metals
Crystal Structure: Tetragonal (a two-dimensional geometric figure formed of four sides and four angles)

PROPERTIES: The element is insoluble and strongly resists corrosion and weathering. This explains the relatively low amount of this element present in the earth’s crust and in bodies of water. Only a few minerals contain it, cassiterite being the most valuable among these. However, it can be attacked by acids and alkalis. It can be tuned and polished to be used as protective coating for other metals. It is also combined with other metals to create different alloys such as bronze.

USES: Tin (Sn) is seen everywhere - from the atmosphere to the products that humans use. It is widely used not only in industries, but also in household, construction facilities, consumer products, and research purposes.

1. Protection: This element has the ability to protect iron from corrosion. This is very relevant in pipes made of iron. Using this element in these iron pipes prevent water or any liquid that flows therein from getting rusted and maintains its purity as it is transported from one household to another.

2. Food preservation: Because of its ability to resist corrosion, this element is widely used in cans for food preservation. This is commonly seen in canned goods storing different food items such as fish, seafood, processed meat and vegetables. It is also used as a common wrapping material for food and medicine. However, this element has been replaced by aluminum foil for such purposes.

3. Industrial purposes: This element is also used in pipes, electric circuits, bell metals and dental amalgams, and toothpaste. It is also sprayed onto glass to make it electrically conductive, and this method is essential in making panel lighting and frost-free windshields and windows. It is also widely used as a solder.

4. Creation of alloys: Because the element alone is soft, it is not suitable to be used for most purposes. Thus, it is widely combined with different metals to create specialized alloys. It may result in an entirely new metal or the same metal but with improved properties.

5. Utensils and house items: This element is also widely used in the creation of household materials and utensils, whether for decoration and functional purposes. It is commonly found in spoons and forks and in stainless steel items such as knives and cutting tools.

6. Fertilizers: This element, preferably its organic form, is widely used in agriculture as part of pesticides because of its toxicity. It is also widely used in preserving wood and protecting plants from being invaded by pests.

[The information contained in this article is believed to be reliable. I have taken every precaution to verify its accuracy; I am not a medical professional and make no warranties, representations or guarantees of any kind as to its accuracy. Medical knowledge is in a constant state of change, and what I have written here may be out of date by the time you read it. The information that I have provided here is for informational purposes only and not for use in diagnosing any condition that you may or may not have. Always consult with you doctor before treating yourself.]