Arsenic : (noun)
1: a very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic
forms; arsenic and arsenic compounds are used as
herbicides and insecticides and various alloys; found in
arsenopyrite and orpiment and realgar [syn: As, atomic
number 33]
2: a white powdered poisonous trioxide of arsenic; used in
manufacturing glass and as a pesticide and weed killer
[syn: arsenic trioxide, arsenous anhydride, arsenous
oxide]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Arsenic : \Ar*sen"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, arsenic; -- said of those
compounds of arsenic in which this element has its highest
equivalence; as, arsenic acid.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Arsenic : \Ar"se*nic\ ([aum]r"s[-e]*n[i^]k; 277), n. [L.
arsenicum, Gr. 'arseniko`n, 'arreniko`n, yellow orpiment,
perh. fr. 'arseniko`s or better Attic 'arreniko`s masculine,
'a`rrhn male, on account of its strength, or fr. Per.
zern[=i]kh: cf. F. arsenic.]
1. (Chem.) One of the elements, a solid substance resembling
a metal in its physical properties, but in its chemical
relations ranking with the nonmetals. It is of a
steel-gray color and brilliant luster, though usually dull
from tarnish. It is very brittle, and sublimes at 356[deg]
Fahrenheit. It is sometimes found native, but usually
combined with silver, cobalt, nickel, iron, antimony, or
sulphur. Orpiment and realgar are two of its sulphur
compounds, the first of which is the true arsenicum of the
ancients. The element and its compounds are active
poisons. Specific gravity from 5.7 to 5.9. Atomic weight
75. Symbol As.
2. (Com.) Arsenious oxide or arsenious anhydride; -- called
also arsenious acid, white arsenic, and ratsbane.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Arsenic : Symbol: As
Atomic number: 33
Atomic weight: 74.922
Metalloid element of group 15. There are three allotropes, yellow, black,
and grey. Reacts with halogens, concentrated oxidizing acids and hot
alkalis. Albertus Magnus is believed to have been the first to isolate the
element in 1250.
Based on Elements database 20001107 [ELEM_Dictionary]:
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Arsenic : Arsenic: A metallic element that forms a number of poisonous compounds, arsenic is found in nature at low levels mostly in compounds with oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur. These are called
inorganic arsenic compounds. Arsenic in plants and animals combines with carbon and hydrogen. This is called organic arsenic. Organic arsenic is usually less harmful than inorganic arsenic.
Most arsenic compounds have no smell or special taste. Inorganic arsenic compounds are mainly used to preserve wood. They are also used to make insecticides and weed killers. Copper and lead ores
contain small amounts of arsenic.
When arsenic enters the environment, it does not evaporate. It gets into air when contaminated materials are burned. It settles from the air to the ground where it does not break down, but can
change from one form to another. Most arsenic compounds can dissolve in water. Fish and shellfish build up organic arsenic in their tissues, but most of the arsenic in fish is not toxic.
Exposure to arsenic can come from: - Breathing workplace air with sawdust or burning smoke from wood containing arsenic
- Ingesting contaminated water, soil, or air at waste sites
- Ingesting contaminated water, soil, or air near areas naturally high in arsenic
Inorganic arsenic is a human poison. Organic arsenic is less harmful. High levels of inorganic arsenic in food or water can be fatal. A high level is 60 parts of arsenic per million parts of food or
water (60 ppm). Arsenic damages many tissues including nerves, stomach and intestines, and skin. Breathing high levels can give you a sore throat and irritated lungs.
Lower levels of exposure to inorganic arsenic may cause: - Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Decreased production of red and white blood cells
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Blood vessel
damage
- A "pins and needles" sensation in hands and feet
Long term exposure to inorganic arsenic may lead to a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small " warts " on the palms, soles, and torso. Direct skin contact may cause redness and
swelling.
Arsenic is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Breathing inorganic arsenic increases the risk of skin cancer and tumors of the bladder, kidney, liver, and lung.
Tests can measure a person's exposure to high levels of arsenic. These tests are not routinely performed in a doctor's office. Arsenic can be measured in the urine. This is the most reliable test
for arsenic exposure. Since arsenic stays in the body only short time, one must have the test soon after exposure. Tests on hair or fingernails can measure exposure to high levels of arsenic over the
past 6-12 months. These tests are not very useful for low level exposures. These tests do not predict whether you will have any harmful health effects.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets limits on the amount of arsenic that industrial sources can release. It restricted or canceled many uses of arsenic in pesticides and may restrict
more. EPA set a limit of 0.05 parts per million (ppm) for arsenic in drinking water. EPA may lower this further. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established a maximum
permissible exposure limit for workplace airborne arsenic of 10 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).
Based on Elements database 20001107 [ELEM_Dictionary]:
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