Document e5ddKgxDn6njbk3kpw5KVGV1e

t >1 -.h; -v-.'1' : ~'' -Si-it - -TM-*r . -V *: v;^:;?:!.-' ^ '" - & exposures, roblem, and "tent, up to a, two miles >.06 per cent "nation freicuct under ^iew of the tion of 1.5 oore or less see how it ow 1J5 mg. other study "ure. Many rists up to significant men prefer >us arsenic lowered by fective. as - * > f,v w .! *.4*K**' JF **;- v* * .'V- ',*j*.*<i**tjr*v.*JT- _- * ^ AKSEN1C, PHOSPHORUS, EELENTUM, EUX.FUH, TELUtfaiUJt 567 .1 * 4 fir' * r* J'f'-ilt^Lead arsenite, approximately Pb(AsO:)j, with 495 per cent lead and 35.6 'I-'vper cent arsenic, is likewise a dense, white powder. Its specific gravity is 555. It is probable that the arsenic exposure from lead arsenate and lead arsenite r^jjeed not be seriously considered because of the relatively greater hazard of the i-'^lead content of these insecticides. .' : - , r/jt-t'i' "JwTVi - ..\Determination in the Atmotphorn- . , . : " . *' - ,- Arsenic dusts and mists may be collected by impingement into dilute alkali "-^or-other media, or by the electrostatic precipitator. Fumes are mare reliably '^`-collected by the precipitator. Estimation can then be made by the Gutzeit1 or ,'jSSafother methods.*1* 'fv.r: .... * fc 1 * ' b1 ' * J 1 *w - .. " p'C.4. PhrAeiogiool Response ... - i * ,`%T *'**? * 'y ' *f` r - '2. # ' . --. ','f '. K~ -... Acute effects. Acute or subacute industrial poisoning from ingestion, skin contact, or inhalation of arsenical dusts is not common. Symptoms include gastro intestinal disturbances, irritation of the nose and conjunctiva, skin eruptions, and - - inflammation. Laryngitis, bronchitis, and buskiness of the voice can result from relatively brief, massive doses of arsenicals by inhalation. Systemically, arsenic ]relaxes the capillaries4 snd increases their permeability, simulating inflammation, 1 -and this dilation introduces changes in the circulation that cause disturbances in |-organic function. ^ Arsenious aorphous. kystalliae nd llA g. re soluble l per cent s a white or Paris ion of 3 .-'.7-' ' . SiHAsO*. .jgt ** , y powder , S*`^ nd 21.6 Chronic effects. After chronic exposure to arsenic compounds perforation of the nasal septum is a common occurrence, as well as irritation, and occasionally ulceration, of the skin. Pigmentation also may be produced. Peripheral neuritis* is said to occur in less than 5 per cent of the cases, tremors in 10 per cent, gastric symptoms in one third, and rashes in the majority of cases of chronic poisoning. Loss of nails and hair may result. Carcinoma of the lung is said to have been produced experimentally in animals with arsenic compounds, but no evidence has been -presented to indicate such occurrence among human beings from iadus^ trial exposures. >- ... . Small amounts of arsenic are thought to have a beneficial effect in treating leukemias, anemias, and skin diseases. Arsenic in organic forms is used in the treatment, of syphilis: for example, Mapbarsen or the arspheaamines. Arsenic was formerly used extensively, even indiscriminately,4 as an alterative and tonic in all kinds of blood disturbances. Small amounts of arsenic have been found to ' V 'U' have a beneficial effect upon animals, especially animals on a diet containing . . T. T,-'V selenium.* . f 'M. B, Jacob*, Analytical Chemittry of Industrial Poisons, Retards, and Solvents. % lateisdeace, New York, 1M1. , 'D. M. Hubbard, Ini. Eng. Cham, Anal Ed, IS, 915 <1941). -- ,. f, -- 16 *K. Bambach, Ind. Eng. Cham, Anal. Ed, U, 56$ (1942). . .V.J. *T. Sollmann, A Manual of Pharmacology. 6th ed, Saunders, Philadelphia, 1944. : . `T. Legge, Industrial Maladies. Oxford Unix. Press, London, 1934. *A. It Moxon, C. R. Paynter, and A. W. Halverson, J. Pharmacol, 84, 115 (1945). " Vt3 'x k'X.-y 3 ;= S n,s4.S7 it.r{'- #4 v * ' Z V? i ** ' l '/ ..iZ'i:-? - T'_ .: , 1 r * - ' .'ip*-v-?lj*ws arr.:1 :> hr m >j'*f di r- 'fKr-vSV;' . - t\* ' .1^...^ - ' 4% t (^` !X*1j| " [ - 3*;~wSI grs^Jt. riS-'-iti t*.s* ?a t,5?3 :! >'-- . T1 Vv ' ' '>. ,-*ri '-':i`lV**l&u*,.* 568 J-RA>-X X. PATTT 5. Abtorption, Retention, mi Exertion iS? -. ; -' * , y\vr r i^w' *.'?-T.---^~'A''Vr'E^tr:-:1*' -.`''"A - Anenic may be absorbed industrially by inhalation, ingestion, and through-- the skin, it is largely eliminated in the urine, some in the feces, hair, epithelium,- - >.: SHoin* ^ nails, and possibly smali amounts is the exhaled breath. Excretion is slowr.-- *7.- " requming up to ten days&iier an acute absorption; sometimes more than a year after prolonged absorption. After subcutaneous injection of potassium arsenite.. ' isse /r human beings, and all animals except rats, showed very small amounts of arsenic in the bloodT and no evidence of accumulation in rapidly growing tissues. Arsenic!" is retained and stored in all the tissues, the bones, and especially the hair. It is~ ~r . . ASK said that the arsenic content of long hair, in relation to that of close-cropped 2 hair, can be used to give an indication of the time and extent of absorption!/ Arsenic content of the hair several yean after death has been presented aa7- evidence of nonindustrial anenic poisoning. ?-'< * S-V ! 6* Tit* Indicating Expuur* ' .... 'r`\ , : . .fJjC*' - : *#:: --. : :- : : , J-r - _ , **\ The arsenic content of the urine of exposed persons is significant in evalu-V ' ating their exposure. The nomal excretion of arsenic has been found to be about t. _:|i 0.015 mg. As per liter,* with occasional values up to 0.06 mg. per liter. The?-.- average urinary arsenic excretion among orchardists during periods of relatively^. A. high exposures averaged 032 to 0.24 mg. per liter, with many values above 0.5 ^ ^ and one value es high as 2.0 mg., although no signs of advene effects from the-A/! ! arsenic were exhibited. Values as high as 3 mg. arsenic per liter of urine have ' been reported elsewhere without detectable signs of intoxication. Just where orr.v=? this scale a mark can be chosen to indicate excessive exposure will require'- AL further study. Kunkele* considers amounts above 0.1 mg. arsenic per . liter of?.'- ! urine, and 3 micrograms anenic per gram of head hair, to indicate poisonings, qn_C but reports results as high as 1.5 mg. per liter of urine and 120 micrograms perr? . - gram of hair. Young and Rice10 wen unable to distinguish between internally and r'-?' externally deposited anenic in the hair and question the value of tests for anenicv ''2:?. in the hair. ..... v- In isolated instances, men exposed to up to 0.6 mg. per cubic meter amenicals ! * r IS- (computed as anenic trioxide) in the atmosphere, during the manufacture of ?' anphenamine and related compounds over an extended period, excreted from l J' : to 5 mg. arsenic (computed as the trioxide) per liter of urine, and exhibited minoro- ??v?vvS, symptoms of anenic poisoning.11 '...j.-t!..' .. v-,, -??? ' P. T. Hunter, A. P. Kip, and J. W. Irvine, Jr, 1. Pharmneel, 76, 207 (1942). ' -.,VV. *P. A Neal, W. G. Cnota, T. I. Edvards, W. H. Reinhart, S. H. Webster, H. T Caatberg, and L. T. PairhaU, UJS. Pub. HeaUh Soviet Bull No. Sff7 (1941). . -1.: - *E. F. Kunkele, Chon. 2tg, 94, 29 (1940);- " i1?- -- -- *E. G. Young and P. A H, Rice, J. Lab. CUn. Med., S9, 439 (1944).- , "H.M. Watrous and M. B. McCaughler, I*d. Med, 14, 639 (1945). - 'Oa'.. ~ - .. .... ''-'j", : :____ ___ ucc ............... ....... r-aite through ithelium, is slow, n a year arsenite, : arsenic Arsenic ur. It is cropped . orption. ated as evalui about The tl 'e 0.5 3tn the 'W e have ere on &s equire iter of `ifSt juiags,. `fb*/ ns per 0 ly and rsenie - SP-i* nicals tre of om 1 minor. " H.T- ;1 ARSENIC, PHOSPHORUS, SELENIUM, ST7LJTO, TELLURIUM 569 7# Maximum Permissible Conrantrations Maximum permissible concentrations that vary from 0.15 to 5.0 mg. per cubic meter of air have been proposed. The higher limit may permit excessive amounts, but the lower limit appears unnecessarily severe and too low to be of practical value from an engineering standpoint. A value on the order of 1 to 2 mg. per cubic meter appears more logical, but the problem requires further study. ARSINE V Arsine, AsHa, is a gas that results whenever nascent hydrogen is formed in an acid, alkaline, or neutral solution containing arsenic. 1. Industrial Exposures . : v` Exposure to arsine gas may result from the action of acids on metals containing arsenic, from the use of impure sulfuric acid made from pyrites containing arsenic, or from the use of hydrochloric acid made from impure sulfuric acid that contained arsenic. Arsine poisoning has resuited from slushing out steel tanks that had previously contained a commercial grade of sulfuric acid, the diluted acid acting upon the metal tank to generate hydrogen, which combined with arsenic impurities in the acid. Arsine may arise from the pickling of any metal containing arsenic; it has been formed from the action of water on metallic arsenides or hot dross containing arsenic and aluminum. Arsine may occur as an impurity in acetylene and present an exposure either in its manufacture or use. It may occur in soldering, etching, lead plating, electrolysis of arsenious solutions, by the action of moisture on ferrosilicon or from the use of impure or inhibited acids11 for scale removal. It has not been a hazard associated with the manu facture, maintenance, or use of lead storage batteries in the United States, where arsenic-free lead and sulfuric acid are used. 2* Physical tutd Chemical Properties Arsine, AsHj, is a colorless gas with a slightly obnoxious odor somewhat resembling garlic. It is 2.7 times as heavy as air. It boils at --55 C. and decom poses at 230s. It is soluble in water to the extent of about 20 volumes in 100 volumes at 20* C. It is inflammable. 1 mg./L c 313 p.pm. and 1 p.pm. o 3.19 mg./eu.m. AsHs (orO 3.07 mg. As* or o 4.05 mg. AsaOs) at 25 C., 760 mm. - "k 3. Drtermination in tha Jnuotphara : . r*" Arsine can be collected by scrubbing the atmosphere through normal nitric acid and estimated by the Gutzeit method1 or other means. If 1 p.pm. arsine is considered the maximum permissible concentration, 2 to 4 liters of air makes a conveniently sized sample, but it is desirable to collect an excess and use an aliquot. Qualitative and semiquantitative tests1 with either silver nitrate or " G. P. Hswlick sad E. B. Ley, Occupational Mtd, I, 3S3 (IMS). Y/' '-.Ji' * V * ' " . - , , . ` -* y- - ` . * / * r. , 1 i. y, ucc 032121 r.^sswESR-- 1 '-V* r1! fc-rjj- * * -if.-- * . C-V t.-^ '~t -1 r.^2 -* .. t- -?* -AS^, wieirr ?K jl, rti . 23. - r -Si ! *4c-i? if Vw > / #C* 'a S*-: '^:-iVt>.- Zaixi i: . .1 ... .-V/-j. 570 tranx a. patit .*'i V;- ^ v- ,, ;A , 'V:,: ^r:: <, mercuric chloride13 test papers are of some use. The reaction is obscured bv-^-- V hydrogen sulfide, phosphine, and stibine. Hydrogen sulfide can be readiiy filtered -;: out with lead acetate paper, while stibme and phosphine have a comparable order ;r" of toxicity to arsine so that for control purposes tins simple test may give useiui r -. t*!*V=* information, especially if the colors are compared with freshly prepared standards V obtained with gas-air mixtures of known compositions. *s' 4. Phfti+logital Rfpotu .-j% '--*vx> .. Acute effects. It is thought that arsine first combines with the hemoglobin * *i w in the blood corpuscles14 in some manner, and soon thereafter hemolysis of the w cells occurs, resulting in the destruction of the cells and solution of the hemoglobin in the serum. More arsenic has been demonstrated in the corpuscles than in the 4serum. During the ensuing anemia the blood count falls rapidly and hemoglobin is 1 TV * excreted in the urine. Within a few days destruction of the red cells may progress " to the point where death occurs from anoxemia, and may be considered a form ^ of chemical asphyxia. It is said that death frequently occurs from pulmonary-4 it* aarf C edema18 resulting either from primary irritation or secondary to failure of their' circulation. Symptoms are similar to those observed in other forms of anoxemia: -i}.. %- - headache, weakness, vertigo, and nausea. Fain in the kidneys and liver develops,4 -5f, and the kidneys may be blocked. Jaundice, both from disintegration of red blood JV_ cells and from disorder of the liver, appears and blends its yellow with the si rr; cyanotic pallor to create a peculiar bronze tint of the skin. The symptoms of 4arsenic poisoning (as opposed to those of arsine) may be present in addition to V . ' the ones described. Death may occur 2 to 9 days following exposure or, if due to 4;- nephritis from arsenic, may be delayed. Recovery, even from severe poisoning, is .4' possible in the majority of instances where the cause is recognized early1* and. 4 prompt measures taken. - -Vi - Cie*; e*** to TABLE 1 Physiological Response to Various Concentrations of Arsine11 . "?r: J*Si` ' *** r to lii RupOiH CtDontrttioo, Majdumm concentration allowable for prolonged exposure.............................................. 1 -- "4. . A*?-' Slight symptoms after exposure of several boon................................................................. Mnsrimum concentration that can be inhaled 1 hr. without serious consequences.... 3-10 --'z~r 6-30 't Dangerous after exposure of 30 to 60 min............................................... ................ .............., 16-60 "'i- Is*** Fatal after exposure of 30 min................................'............................................................... ' 250 r hh a;- rr . Sr. Chronic effects. In prolonged exposure to low concentrations of arsine the- symptoms bear more relation to efiects produced by dusts and fumes of arsenic "Dept, Sei. Ini, Ssssareh (London), Ltafist No. 9 (1930). " F. Flury and F. Zernifc, Schddliche Gass. Springer, Berlin, 1931. * .4.*;,. " Y. Henderson and H. 17. Haggard, Nmovs Gases. 2nd ed, Reinhold, New York, 1943. ,.i "C. A. Nau, W. Anderson, and B. E. Cone, Ind, Med, IS, 308 (1944). Cl#IW *5." ucc 032122 scured by ily filtered able order pve useful standards emoglobin sis of the emoglobin iar> in the oglobin is progress d a form ulmonary je of the noxemia: develops,4 red blood with the lptoms of ddition to if due to sonics, is rlyt and p.p.tt. ireine the if arsenic York, 1M3. ABSEMIC, FHOSPHOBUS, SELENIUM, SULFUE, TELLUKIUM 571 compounds, and albumen may appear along with hemoglobin in the urine. Pro longed exposure of animals to low concentrations of arsine17 produced a com pensated destruction of red blood cells, which gradually deteriorated to a sta tionary level of anemia. There was little injury to other organs. Chronic arsine poisoning1* occurred in a group of nine men exposed several months to undeter mined amounts of arsine in the cyanide extraction of gold. These men complained of headache, weakness, nausea, and vomiting, the attacks increasing in frequency and severity. Puffiness of face and eyelids, tingling sensation in the toes, lumbar and epigastric pains, garlic-like odor of the breath, and change of complexion were also common symptoms. The red blood cells were markedly reduced, eight of nine cases having lows of 0.4 to 2.4 million per cubic millimeter. The arsenic content of the urine ranged from 0.3 to 3.3 mg. per liter (0.37 to 42 xagtAfeOt). The maximum arsenic excretions in the urine of seven of the men ranged from 1.0 to 3.3 mg. As per liter, with an average of 2 mg. per liter. Three months later one man was excreting slightly above 1 mg. per liter, one 0.4 mg. per liter, and the others were approaching normal levels. All of the men recovered. 5. Absorption and Excretion Arsine is absorbed through the lungs, and the arsenic is largely excreted through the kidneys. The arsenic content of the urine is indicative of the extent of exposure when other possible sources of As have been considered. 6. Maximum Permissible Concentration and Warning Properties The maximum permissible concentration of arsine in the atmosphere has frequently been placed at. 1 p p,m. This is equivalent to 3.2 me. arsenic per cubic meter of air. A figure of */g p.p.m, (1.6 mg./per cubic meter) would appear to be a more logical limit. The odor of this concentration of arsine is easily noticeable, but does not constitute a satisfactory warning. The inflammable properties of the gas present no hazard of interest to industrial hygienists because concentrations in the inflammable range do not occur in industry. ARSENIC TRICHLORIDE Arsenic trichloride, AsCU, is an oily liquid boiling at 1302 C. It is said to have been tried experimentally in mosquito-control work, and has been considered for use as an irritant war gas. It fumes when exposed to the air, and decomposes in an excess of water. Industrial exposures, except in its manufacture, are im probable. Its property of decomposition in moist, warm air makes it more effective in the lungs than on the upper respiratory tract. In addition to its strong, irritant action are, of course, the effects of arsenic. " M. Kiese, Arch, txptl. Path. Pharmakol., 186, 337 (1937). "F. M. R. Bulmer, H. E. Rothwell, S. S. Pollack, and D. W. Stewart, J. Ind. Hyg. Toxicol., tS, III (1940). ucc rmi a* * 154 Sf* ? m ARSENIC, PHOSPHORUS, SELENIUM, SULFUR, TELLURIUM 575 .leaths may result from daily doses on the order of 0.8 mg. per kilogram when injected subcutaneously. There are no published data on maximum permissible limits for man, but from experience with animals it appears advisable to limit exposures to about 1 mg. per cubic meter of air where the length of exposure is 6 or 8 hours per day for prolonged periods. The odor of such a concentration of phosphorus vapor, though it can be smelled upon entering, does not give adequate warning. ........... /; PHOSPHINE W'i..'.' Phosphine, PH3, molecular weight 34.04, is a gas that results whenever nascent hydrogen is formed in a solution containing phosphorus. It may occur during the manufacture of phosphorus, from the action of water on metallic phosphides, from the action of moisture on ferrosilicon containing phosphorus, and in fact may frequently accompany arsine because arsenic and phosphorus often occur together as impurities of metals. Phosphine also occurs as an impurity of acetylene. 1. Physical and Chemical Propartlat Phosphine is a colorless gas with a foul odor slightly resembling decayed fish. It is 1.17 times as heavy as air. Its melting point is --133.5s C. and it3 boil ing point is --87.4s. Twenty-six volumes of the gas are soluble in 100 volumes of water at 17 C. Phosphine ignites spontaneously in the air. -- Determination in tha Atmosphere i Phosphine can be determined in the same manner as arsine, and the two gases occurring together may be absorbed by scrubbing through bromine water, and the combined arsenic and phosphorus determined In an aliquot after expelling the bromine. The Denigis44 (molybdenum blue) method is satisfactory. Phosphine also can be estimated by exposing mercuric chloride test paper to a measured volume of phosphine-air mixture and comparing the resultant color with similarly prepared standards. Also see method given under determination of phosphorus. 1 mg./l. c= 719 p.pjn. and 1 p.pjn. o 1.39 mg./cuja. at 25s C., 760 mm. 8* Physiological Response Acute effect*. Phosphine differs in its action from that of arsine in that it does not hemolyie the red blood cells. Early symptoms of poisoning are a feeling of coldness and a pain in the region of the diaphragm. Dyspnea, weakness, vertigo, bronchitis, edema, convulsions, and death may result from exposure to phosphine. "M, B. Jacobs, Analytical Chemistry o/ Industrial Poisons, Hatords, and Solvents. Loterscience, New York, 1ML ^A 'iH-1 'f "'V* -**-r I * r ,, ft 3 ; j - '> ** jt * \ -i .- r ** Iw ; >V'- *4 . * * * 3 r -'J -fTM*; >'V' " ti T - "' iS*-**. j- ' v-. ' $V $T * , -V L--- U5; j.Ttvtv* & i X-t'S S:-` *r '^0: ucc m?i?4