Read this article to find out more about an element called arsenic, its properties, harmful effects, and symptoms.Arsenic is a semi-metallic chemical or a metalloid component that can be found in the earth’s crust. Arsenic is distributed across the world in the environment via water, air, and land, as it is a naturally occurring element.Arsenic is a metalloid, which means that it is not exactly metal, but it shares its properties with other metals. Arsenic can be mainly found in substantial quantities in groundwater. Minuscule quantities of arsenic are found in soil, rocks, air, and water. It can be concentrated in certain areas while being very less in others.The concentration of arsenic can occur due to human activities like metal mining or the use of excessive pesticides. Sometimes, the concentration of arsenic in large quantities can be natural. Usually, when it is found in the environment, it may not be in its purest form and it is found combined with other elements. Arsenic is insoluble in water.After reading more about the organic form of Arsenic and its effects, also check Abner Doubleday facts and Argentina crafts.Arsenic Placement In Periodic Table, Atomic Weight, Arsenic SymbolArsenic is a chemical element that can be found on the periodic table at atomic number 33 and it is an element belonging to the nitrogen group (Group 15). The chemical symbol for arsenic is ‘Ar’ and it has an atomic weight of approximately 74.9216 u.Arsenic is solid at room temperature and has a melting point of 1497 F (813.8 C) at 36 atmospheric pressure. The term arsenic has been derived from the Greek word ‘arsenikon’. Arsenic can be found in gray or yellow crystalline forms. As arsenic occurs naturally, its presence in the environment is not directly harmful as it is rare to find amounts of arsenic that can be toxic or fatal.The arsenic levels found in the Earth’s crust are only about five grams per ton, which is not a lot. The element is known to have been first observed by Albert Magnus in the 13th century. Although it is not certain if this scientist observed the element in its free form. The first report of this metalloid as a free substance was made by Johann Schroeder in 1649. He was a German pharmacist who burned charcoal with arsenic oxide to make free element arsenic.Today, arsenic is mostly used for industrial purposes as an alloying agent, and for manufacturing glass, textiles, pigment, metal adhesives, ammunition, paper, and wood preservatives. It is also used for the tanning process to make leather as well as in pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and feed additives in very minute quantities.Why is arsenic harmful to humans?Inorganic arsenic is known for being a carcinogenic substance, i.e. it is a cancer-causing element.Organic forms of arsenic are not as harmful to human health as inorganic arsenic compounds, as they react with cells in a person’s body and displace certain elements to change the cell’s function. This is how cancer occurs. Arsenic in drinking water is very commonly found in many parts of the world, which is a primary reason for the spread of arsenic, which results in diseases like cancer and arsenic poisoning.The World Health Organisation has estimated that the number of people who are exposed to potentially hazardous levels of arsenic found in drinking water is more than 200 million people all around the globe. These people are exposed to harmful levels of arsenic every day through the contaminated water supply, using that water for cooking, irrigation of food crops, eating food made from it, various industrial processes, and smoking tobacco.How does arsenic affect the body?Arsenic is harmful to our body because it can replace the phosphate in our cells.Our body cells use phosphate to generate energy and carry neuron signals, but one of the arsenic compounds known as arsenate can replace this phosphate and impair the ability of the cell to send these signals to communicate with other cells and generate energy. Direct ingestion of arsenic in high amounts can cause health problems like cancer, arsenic poisoning, liver problems which can sometimes lead to coma or death if ingested at a toxic level.Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause chronic arsenic poisoning. Other side effects also include skin problems like skin cancer, lesions, changes in pigmentation, and a skin condition called hyperkeratosis which results in the formation of hard patches on the skin, generally on the hands or feet. Long-term exposure effects caused by drinking contaminated water and food generally may take up to five years to show symptoms. It has been found that inorganic arsenic is naturally present in countries like Bangladesh, India, China, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and the USA in large quantities in the groundwater.There are several other products like meat, poultry, and dairy products which contain trace amounts of arsenic, but they are rarely found and it is a lot safer to consume these products compared to contaminated groundwater. One way to prevent long-term exposure to arsenic is to drink purified and filtered water regularly, and take care of preparing the food with the same water. If you work in industries that have high use of arsenic and its compounds, make sure to bring your own food and water. Carry your own water, or drink only mineral water when traveling.What disease does arsenic cause?One of the most commonly found diseases caused by direct exposure to arsenic which can happen by absorbing, swallowing, or inhaling the chemical is arsenic poisoning, or also known as arsenicosis.This disease can also lead to death if not treated in time, hence it is necessary to take precautions if one is being exposed to arsenic-contaminated environments all the time. Symptoms of arsenic poisoning generally depend on the method in which the arsenic exposure has taken place, for example, if arsenic is directly ingested, it may show severe symptoms within an hour, while inhaling or ingesting in scarce amounts may take longer to develop any symptoms.Immediate symptoms of arsenic poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Long-term exposure can also lead to chronic poisoning, which affects your lungs, kidneys, liver, and skin. If these symptoms progress without treatment, a person may suffer from severe symptoms like seizures and shock, which may lead to death or coma in some cases.These symptoms also lead to adverse health effects and various health problems like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and developmental defects in fetuses and babies. Signs and symptoms which can be seen with a severe case of arsenic poisoning can be excess saliva, swallowing problems, metallic taste in the mouth, hair loss, bloody urine, stomach cramps, and convulsions.Arsenic has a long electron configuration with five electrons in the outer shell. Agent Blue is the chemical bond of two arsenic-containing compounds: sodium cacodylate and cacodylic acid. It is highly toxic, it can cause elevated levels, high pressure of blood with more natural sources, and other factors. A lead shot or the lead arsenate in the blood vessel can cause health effects with the abundant element in the bloodstream.Most arsenic is also used as a doping agent. White arsenic is one of the extremely toxic metals to humans in the natural world. Another element is gallium arsenide. It is important to detect arsenic concentrations if it has entered your body. There is an arsenic-based drug named arsenic trioxide.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for arsenic facts then why not take a look at what kind of dog is Bolt, or where does magma come from.
Read this article to find out more about an element called arsenic, its properties, harmful effects, and symptoms.
