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Arsenic Facts

Arsenic Facts
Arsenic is a chemical that has been in use since ancient Greece, Egypt, and China, to strengthen alloys. It is poisonous and so is its compounds but has been used for many purposes in manufacturing and agriculture, and is also being looked at for medicinal use today despite its toxicity. Arsenic's atomic number is 33 and its symbol is As. The word Arsenic is derived from the Persian word 'Zarnikh' which means 'yellow orpiment.' The arsenic element was isolated for the first time in 1250 by Albertus Magnus, a German philosopher. While arsenic is usually gray and brittle there are also yellow, and black allotropes (different modified types).
Interesting Arsenic Facts:
Arsenic is a poison and should not be handled by anyone but chemists or other professionals in the scientific field.
In the past arsenic has been used as a wood preservative. It has also been used as an insecticide.
As a wood preservative, arsenic not only stops the wood from rotting but it also deters insects such as termites from destroying the wood.
Arsenic use has been decreased by many industries because of its impact on the environment. Arsenic is absorbed by plants and other farm produce and can lead to food poisoning by those who consume it in the plant.
Because of arsenic's toxicity it can kill a person very quickly. It has been used throughout history in many assassination attempts. Yellow arsenic is the most deadly form. Even small amounts over time will lead to health problems and possibly death if not discontinued.
Arsenic is used to harden lead and copper alloys today.
Arsenic was used in the chemical Agent Blue, a form of chemical warfare used in the Vietnam War.
Some of the medicinal uses of arsenic include being a skin bleaching agent, a treatment for some forms of cancer and leukemia, and as an indicator for PET cancer scans.
Arsenic is solid at room temperature, boils as 1137 degrees Fahrenheit, and melts at 1503 degrees Fahrenheit.
Arsenic can be found in the crust of the earth, and the type used for industrial use is usually the byproduct of mining for copper, silver, and gold.
Small amounts of arsenic are important for animal health, despite its toxicity.
The arsenic contamination in the environment can come from a variety of sources including mining, coal-fired power plants, smelting, agriculture, and from volcanoes, and the small amounts found in the environment.
Humans come into contact with arsenic in a variety of ways. It can be present in food, water, in the air, and in cigarette smoke.
In the early 1800s a copper arsenate called Scheele's Green, was used to color sweets.
The lead alloys used for bullets and lead shot include as much as 2% arsenic.
Arsenic has been used in glass production but because of concerns of environmental contamination it has been discontinued by a lot of manufacturers.
Long term exposure can result in many human health issues, but treatment for chronic exposure is possible with anti-lewisite for 10 days once poisoning has been established.


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