Information AboutArsenic Trioxide |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT ARSENIC TRIOXIDE | |
| arsenic compounds | |
| oxides | |
| iarc group 1 carcinogens | |
| alchemical substances | |
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to get this template --> Arsenic trioxide is the most important commercial compound of Arsenic , and the main starting material for arsenic chemistry. PREPARATION
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES Arsenic trioxide is an can be explosive. It is also readily reduced to Arsenic , and Arsine (AsH3) may also be formed. MOLECULAR STRUCTURE Tetrahedral molecules, As4O6, in α-form and in liquid and gas phases. USES
TOXICOLOGY See also: Arsenicosis . Arsenic trioxide is readily absorbed by the digestive system: toxic effects are also well known after inhalation of the dust or fumes and after skin contact. Elimination is rapid at first (half-life of 1–2 days), by methylation to Cacodylic Acid and excretion in the urine, but a certain amount (30–40% in the case of repeated exposure) is incorporated into the bones, muscles, skin, hair and nails (all tissues rich in Keratin ) and eliminated over a period of weeks or months. The first symptomes of acute and Kidneys and abnormalities in the coagulation of the blood. These are followed by the appearance of characteristic white lines (Mees stripes) on the nails and by hair loss. Lower doses lead to liver and kidney problems and to changes in the pigmentation of the skin. Cases of acute arsenic poisoning are known after inhalation and after skin contact with arsenic trioxide. The first signs are severe irritation, either of the respiratory tract or of the exposed skin, followed by longer term neurological problems. Even dilute solutions of arsenic trioxide are dangerous on contact with the eyes. Chronic Arsenic poisoning is known as Arsenicosis : it is found after professional exposure (for example, in metal smelters), in populations whose drinking Water contains high levels of arsenic (0.3–0.4 ppm) and in patients treated for long periods with arsenic-based pharmaceuticals. Arsenic trioxide has been shown to be a human Carcinogen . Studies on workers exposed in Copper foundries in the U.S., Japan and Sweden indicate a risk of lung cancer 6–10 times higher for the most exposed workers compared with the general population. Long-term ingestion of arsenic trioxide either in drinking water or as a medical treatment can lead to skin cancer. Reproductive problems (high incidence of miscarriage, low birth weight, congenital deformations) have also been indicated in one study of women exposed to arsenic trioxide dust as employees or neighbours of a [[copper foundery. BIBLIOGRAPHY
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