Arsenic

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Contents 1 Introduction 2 Occurrence 3 Characteristics 4 Uses 5 Pharmacokinetics 6 More General Terms 7 Additional Terms 8 References

Introduction

• From the Greek arsenikon meaning yellow orniment (a powdered pigment). Arsenic compounds were mined by the ancient Chinese, Greeks & Egyptians. Arsenic was first isolated by Albertus Magnus, a German alchemist in 1250.

Occurrence

• occasionally found as a free element
• mostly found in minerals

Characteristics

• a trivalent & pentavalent solid poisonous element
• either yellow or steel-gray
• crystalline & brittle
• non- metallic
• stable in dry air
• gray form tarnishes & burns in oxygen
• arsenic salts & arsine gases are poisonous
• arsenic is carcinogenic & possibly teratogenic

Uses

• alloys
• semiconductors
• pesticides
• wood preservatives
• glass
• bronzing

Pharmacokinetics

• arsenic is readily absorbed throught the lungs (in the form of arsine gas) or through the GI tract in the form of arsenic trioxide or organic arsenicals
• absorbtion through the skin occurs slowly
• within 24 hours, arsenic is distributed to all body tissues
• the major route of excretion is through the kidneys
• arsenic crosses the placenta

More General Terms

• chemical element

Additional Terms

• arsenic poisoning
• arsenic trioxide; As2O3 (Trisenox)
• As+3 (trivalent arsenic)
• melarsoprol
• tryparsamide

References

1. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam- Webster Inc. Springfield, MA 1990
2. Chemical & Engineering News, Sept 8, 2003
3. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods, 21st edition, McPherson RA & Pincus MR (es), W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA. 2007, pg 322

arsenic [As]