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Barium Revelations Following Accusations Against Doctor

1,995 views · Published 8 August 2012 · 2:59 · Indexed 17 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by Karen Zatkulak  Newschannel 9 is learning more about Barium, the various forms of the heavy metal.  The substance has raised concern after a Lookout Mountain woman claimed her husband poisoned her with Barium.  Liesa Hill filed an order of protection against her husband, Dr. Hal Hill, on Friday.  The court documents say Liesa had been sick for months, and noticed her husband put something in her morning coffee.  It goes on to explain that she got a sample of her coffee tested, and the results came back positive for Barium.On Wednesday, we called radiologists and other medical experts to learn more about Barium.  It is a heavy metal element that can be found in various forms.  One, is a non water soluble kind that is often used in imaging.  It's called Barium Sulfate, and patients often drink it before a procedure.  Dr. Jim Busch works for the Chattanooga Outpatient Center.  He tells us, "In its sulfate form, Barium is very safe.  It has been used for many years, and helps us to see whether there are any blockages or issues."Dr. Busch showed us X-rays taken as Barium was travelling through a patient's body.  The black areas showed the element, and whether it was obstructed.  He says, "It just passes through your body, and is completely safe in this form."  He wanted to re-assure patients that the Barium given by doctors in this form, is not poisonous.But we also learned about the other kind of Barium, the poisonous kind.  It is a soluble solution that not found in the medical field.  AIT Laboratories, which performed the tests on Hill's coffee, tells us any amount of Barium is very concerning.  They tell us the results did not identify exactly what form of Barium was found in the coffee.  But, Kay Thurman, the former Director of Radiology at Chattanooga State, told us by phone that the soluble form is very dangerous.  She said it can be found in rat poison, plastics, or explosives.  We also talked with the Tennessee Poison Center.  John Benitez says the soluble form is also used when working with glass.  He tells us it could be purchased from a chemical supply house or even on the internet.The investigation into Dr. Hill and his wife's allegations is still underway.  The Lookout Mountain Police Department is looking into the case, with the help of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.  Dr. Hal Hill has not been charged in the case.  His office told us they had no comment on the case and Dr. Hill did not return our phone call.    ...

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