Arsenic is a brittle, crystalline nonmetal solid with atomic number 33 and weight 74.92. It’s infamous for being a poison, but poisoning mostly occurs from environmental sources. Even low levels of exposure can cause unpleasant side effects, and medical professionals can test for exposure through urine, hair, and nails. Arsenic also has innocent uses, such as wood preservation and tanning, and is a component in pyrotechnics.
Arsenic, chemical symbol As, is a nonmetal solid. Its atomic number is 33, with an atomic weight of 74.92. In its standard state, it is very brittle and crystalline; it also sublimes (changes directly from a solid to a gas) when heated.
That’s the scientific side of arsenic, but what really makes the element a household name is the fact that it’s poisonous. From the movie Arsenic and Old Lace to the latest television crime film, this element has been the poison of choice for many fictional criminals.
In real life, however, arsenic poisoning results mostly from environmental causes. Contaminated air, food and water can be a source of ingestion. It is also possible to ingest this poison when living near inadequately controlled toxic waste sites and in regions where the rocks contain a high concentration of arsenic. Pressure-treated wood may also include this element and can release it through sawdust or when burned.
Even at levels low enough not to be toxic, arsenic has unpleasant side effects. Breathing it in can cause lung and throat irritation, while ingesting a smaller amount can cause nausea, vomiting, and blood problems. Exposure to low levels over a longer period of time can cause dark skin and wart-like marks.
If a person suspects they have been exposed to arsenic, there are certain tests that medical professionals can perform. If a person can be tested within days of potential exposure, a urine sample will be the best indicator of poison in the person’s system. Over a longer period of six to 12 months, health care professionals may examine hair and nails for indicators of high arsenic levels.
Despite its bad reputation, arsenic has a few innocent uses, like wood preservation and tanning. It can also be found as a component in pyrotechnics.
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