Document ymeqekb4e7B7MoyDnyGMgLbkE

/<- OO.o/>7"C/L April 2, 1936 F. N. Alquist . M. Adorns Aj H -/o^ . 3i, /2. --x The Toxicity of Arsenic end Its Compounds iincountered-- in Inhibited Acid. Inorgenic compounds of arsenic may produce local effects on the skin or mucous membranes ana cause systemic poisonings. Toxic effects are observed in the gastro-intestinal tract, the nervous system, the heart, kidneys, and skin. Industrially there have been numerous cases of chronic systemic poisoning, of dermatitis and of irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose. iO | S4 Metallic Arsenic " ^ 1 f 3t- I There ere, apparently, no reported cases of poisoning from metallic arsenic, probably because so little is handled as such. Arsenic in any form would be expected to exert toxic aotions if it gains access to the animal organism. Indications are that the arsenic dust, encountered in the containers for acid which has been inhibited with As,Ot, is of Buch a fine particle size that it may be inhaled and absorbed into the organism. It is impossible to say whether or not this fine arsenic may have an action from contact on the skin. In th absence of specific information, we recommend care to prevent exposure to this metallic arsenic. D0 141973 Arsenous Oxide '3- H*A/fs fonftdfnttai.. This material presents hazards from local action on skin or mucous membranes and of systemic poisoning. The handling of As,0, without precautions may readily result in chronic and even subacute intoxication, particularly where dust of AstO* is formed. This material, as dust, will irritate and even ulcerate mucous membranes of the nose. Sufficient exposure will result in local action on the skin. Acute intoxication will result from taking this material orally. The lethal dose for a 130 pound man is estimated at 0. - 0.26 grams. Cases of acute poisoning show a predominance of either gastrointestinal or nervous symptoms. Acute intoxication occurs from the ingestion of comparatively large amounts. The symptoms include pain in throat and stomach, retching and vomiting, diarrhea, skin becomes cold and clammy, oyenosls, slight Jaundice, headache, cramps in legs, general weakness, pulse is small, weak, and irregular. Death occurs in a state of collapse. Urine is scanty and contains much albumin. In the so-called cerebrospinal type the gastrolnt stinal symptoms are very slight or absent; there is headache, vertigo, spasms of leg muscles, stupor, del rium, and disturbances of sensation. General paralysis and collapse lead to death. biocnemicd r.fesearcn i.tiuor&Tiory y. N. A1 quiet Pag , In so-called subacute forms one observes loss of appetite, fainting sensations, nausea, thirst, retching, shooting pains in stomach and bowels, vomiting and diarrhea. Urine is scanty and gives evidence of nephritis and there may he jaundice. VeriouB types of skin eruptions are observed. Later, peripheral neuritis may develop. In the more severe oases there is gradual weakness, the heart fails, cyanosis develops, and death occurs in delerium or stupor. The most frequent poisoning is chronic in nature and seemingly may develop quite readily on exposure to arsenic compounds. Symptoms inolude general malaise, loss of appetite, colic-like pain in abdomen, vomiting, constipation, mild fever, eyelids ere puffy, the face pale. There may be catarrh of nose, throat, and bronchi. Conjunctivitis may occur. Hair becomes dry and may fell out, the nails become brittle, and the skin shows various types of lesions. Headache and peripheral neuritis develop later, and even paralysis. The heart is also affected and undergoes fatty degeneration. Arsenous oxide 1b readily absorbed from the stomach and may be absorbed through the skin in certain oiroumstences. Arsenic is distributed through all tissues of the body, and accumulates in the bones, particularly in chronic poisonings. Excretion occurs in exfoliating skin and hair, but particularly in urine and feoes. The handling of AstOs in any quantity requires considerabl care in order to prevent toxic effects. In the case of solutions of Ast0 in HC1 we have hazards from both materials. However, due to the smaller percent of As0 and to the dominant looal irritating effects of the acid, the principle hazard is that of the HC1. The actual handling of aoid containing As*0t would probably not require greater pre cautions than that of the acid alone. Hazards will occur wher the arsenic alone is encountered. Arsine (AsHa) $4./J -/O There have been numerous cases of poisoning by AsHa In industry, particularly where reactions between acid and metal are encountered. Either the aoid or metal had contained arsenic, which was reduced by the nasoent hydrogen. Arsine la an extremely toxic gas, attacking the red blood oella and the nervous system. The following figures are given in "Noxious Gases" by Henderson and Haggard: Slight symptoms after several hours -------- ------- 30 p.p.m. Dangerous for exposure of 1 hour--------- ----- 50 p.p.m. Fatal to man In exposure of 30 minutes ----- 50 p.p.m. It is 10 to 0 times as toxic as carbon monoxide. DO l41 CONFTDFNTTAl Biochemical Research Laboratory F. N. A1quiet Page 5. The symptoms of acute arsine poisoning are due principally to the hemolysis of the red blood oells; the resulting anemia contributes. The symptoms begin a few hours after exposure, beginning with an indefinite feeling of illness and weakness followed by vertigo and fsintnees. Headache, nausea, and vomiting with epigastric pain develop. Cyanosis develops, and Jaundice may appear. The urine contains hemoglobin or its decomposition products. The anemia may become very severe. If the acute effects are survived, death may occur later with kidney involvement in a manner resembling poisoning by As.O,, A chronlo or subacute type of poisoning has been observed. Subjective symptoms are vague. Hemoglobin and albumin may appear in the urine. Diagnosis is made by analytical detection of arsenic in the urine. LixLAlR DO 141975 CONFTDFNTTAl