Arsenic Poisoning

It’s a mainstay of detective fiction; it’s a naturally occurring element in the earth’s crust, from which it spreads through water, soil and air; it’s useful in many ways, but toxic in even more ways. Arsenic is a very versatile element, and it has been known to humans for millennia. The term itself comes from the Arabic word al zarniqa, meaning “yellow”.

Chemical Properties

Arsenic is a metalloid that can occur as a pure crystal, as well as in various minerals. Inorganic arsenic is extremely toxic, more so than organic arsenic compounds.

The most common arsenic allotropes (forms in which an element can exist) are gray, yellow, and black.

When exposed to humidity, arsenic turns golden-bronze and black.

Uses

For a number of centuries, arsenic was widely used in medicine, for instance as stimulants or to treat syphilis, leukemia and other cancers, psoriasis etc. In recent years, arsenic-74 is sometimes used in PET scans instead of iodine-124 to help detect the presence of tumors.

Other products in which arsenic was or is used include:

  • plumbing
  • glass
  • pigments
  • ammunition
  • textile
  • paper
  • pharmaceuticals
  • pesticides
  • par batteries
  • semiconductors

Toxicity

Arsenic is naturally present in the environment and can be released through volcanic explosions or contaminated groundwater in areas with high concentrations of arsenic.

Symptoms of arsenic poisoning include:

  • vomiting (including vomiting blood)
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea (including with blood)
  • tingling in fingers and toes
  • muscle cramps
  • blood in urine
  • hair loss
  • neurotoxicity
  • developmental effects
  • skin pigmentation, hard patches on hands and feet, and skin lesion in cases of long-term exposure (five or more years)
  • bladder or lung cancer in cases of long-term exposure
  • pulmonary disease
  • diabetes
  • various cardiovascular conditions (myocardial infarction is a relatively common condition whose risk of occurrence is enhanced by arsenic exposure)
  • pregnancy complications, infant mortality, cognitive problems in infants

If ingested – the most specific effects relates to skin pattern changes and cancer (including liver, kidney, bladder, prostate and lung cancer); also at lower doses, the digestive system may be affected with symptoms such as nausea vomiting, stomach irritation, diarrhea, damage to blood vessels.

If inhaled – skin changes; irritation of throat and lungs, circulatory problems, nervous system disorders