What Are the Properties of Arsenic?

Arsenic, commonly known as thorium, is a non-metallic element ^[1] , which is located in the fourth periodic table of the chemical element, group VA, atomic number 33, the element symbol As, and the simple elements are gray arsenic, black arsenic and yellow arsenic. This allotropic form exists. Arsenic is widely found in nature, and hundreds of arsenic minerals have been discovered. Arsenic and its compounds are used in pesticides, herbicides, pesticides, and many alloys. Its compound, arsenic trioxide, is called arsenic and is a very toxic substance.

When arsenic is low in beverages (10-30 mg / g), it causes growth retardation, reduced pregnancy, more spontaneous abortions, and higher mortality. Reduced bone mineralization, myocardial and skeletal muscle fiber atrophy was also observed in sheep and mini pigs,

The World Health Organization states that arsenic levels below 10 micrograms per liter are safe for the human body. ^[15]

First aid and treatment: induce vomiting or gastric lavage, intramuscular injection of 5% sodium dimercaptopropanesulfonate. ^[1]

Dangerous situation	Measures
Skin exposure	Rinse (Kids of children or the elderly should be careful not to cause temperature loss).
Eye exposure	Rinse with water for at least 15 minutes and remove contact lenses if possible.

During acute exposure, the patient should be ensured that the airway is open, breathing and pulse, and contact the nearest toxicological unit before being sent to the hospital.

A large amount of ingestion should be activated carbon (1mg / Kg, usually 60-90mg for adults, 25-50mg for children) within one hour of ingestion. It is most effective, and gastric lavage can be performed without vomiting. At this time, the patient must be conscious. And pay attention to the unobstructed airway, avoid vomiting and aspiration into the airway. Due to the large amount of fluid loss, symptomatic patients must be replenished from the vein and the heart rhythm is monitored by the machine. Even patients without hypotension should be hydrated, and we need to record urine output to evaluate the situation of fluid replacement. If necessary, patients should be sent to the intensive care unit to replenish body fluids at any time. If there is renal failure, they should be treated with dialysis.

For acute arsenic exposure, maintenance of renal function and transfusion supplementation of red blood cells are destroyed.

When the source of arsenic exposure is unclear, it is best not to discharge the patient, and the patient should be discharged after the relevant authorities determine that their living or working environment is safe to avoid further exposure.

Arsenic medication

DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) (oral), the recommended dosage is 10 g / Kg or 350mg / every eight hours for five days, and then 10 g / Kg every twelve hours for 14 days. As for oral D-penicillamine, although it has been reported to be effective in children with acute arsenic poisoning, it has no effect on experimental animals.

Arsenic chronic exposure treatment

Find out the source of arsenic exposure and avoid further exposure. Studies have shown that children who have been exposed to arsenic gradually decrease their arsenic levels in urine after leaving the source. Arsenic-induced peripheral neuropathy takes months to recover, and rarely recovers completely. The effect of chelation therapy (someone used BAL) on neuropathy is unknown.

Arsenic precautions

Switching to low-arsenic water is the most effective measure to prevent drinking-type arsenic poisoning. Other studies have found that the intake of antioxidants such as fruits may have a protective effect on arsenic poisoning. ^[1] Strict storage of arsenic-containing poisons: arsenic pesticides must be dyed red in order to identify and prevent confusion with flour, flour, baking soda, etc. The outer packaging must be marked with the word "poison". The remaining mixed arsenic poisonous valley and poisonous bait should be buried deeply, and the remaining medicinal species should be absolutely forbidden to be eaten or used as feed. All utensils that have been exposed to arsenic preparations must be carefully brushed after use and must not contain any food. It is forbidden to grind arsenic preparations such as mills for processing grain. ^[1]