Arsenic trioxide

Synonyms

Acide arsenieux [French]; Anhydride arsenieux [French]; Arseni trioxydum; Arsenic (III) oxide; Arsenic blanc [French]; Arsenic oxide; Arsenic oxide (As2O3); Arsenic sesquioxide; Arsenic(III) oxide; Arsenicum album; Arsenigen saure [German]; Arsenious Acid Anhydride; Arsenious acid; Arsenious oxide; Arsenious trioxide; Arsenite; Arsenolite; Arsenous acid; Arsenous acid anhydride; Arsenous anhydride; Arsenous oxide; Arsenous oxide [ISO]; Arsenous oxide anhydride; Arsentrioxide; Arsodent; Claudelite; Claudetite; Crude arsenic; Diarsenic trioxide; Oxyde Arsenieux [ISO-French]; Trisenox; UN 1561; White arsenic; [ChemIDplus] UN1561

Category

Arsenic Compounds, Inorganic

Description

Colorless or white solid; [ICSC] White powder; Soluble in water; May decompose in presence of moisture; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Uses include purification of synthesis gas, decolorizing glass, dyeing textiles (mordant), preserving hides, and preserving wood; Also used in pigments, ceramic enamels, aniline colors, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides (sheep and cattle dip), rodenticides, mineral flotation reagents, antineoplastic drugs, and growth inhibitors; [HSDB]

Comments

A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; Can cause arsenic poisoning; [ICSC] Extremely toxic with an oral lethal dose of less than 5 mg/kg, or just a taste (less than 7 drops) for a 150-lb. person; [CAMEO] A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; Inhalation may cause chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema; May cause respiratory sensitization after prolonged contact; Effects in high-dose animal studies include acute pulmonary edema, cardiac arrhythmias, abnormal liver function tests, fatty liver degeneration, and depressed renal function tests; [MSDSonline] See "Arsenic" and the linked occupational diseases.

Biomedical References

Inorganic arsenic plus methylated metabolites in urine = 35 ug As/L; end of workweek;

0.01 mg/m3, as As

0.01 mg/m3, as As

5 mg/m3, as As

0.000247 mm Hg

will not burn

Aplastic anemia

Yes

Sensorimotor

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Skin burns

Established

Human carcinogen

Confirmed Human

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Arsenic, chronic toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Applying Wood Preservatives
• Farming (Pesticides)
• Glass Manufacturing
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Metal Extraction and Refining
• Mining
• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)
• Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Ceramics making
• Enameling