Arsenic(V) oxide

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Danger! May be fatal if swallowed. Harmful if inhaled. Cancer hazard. May cause fetal effects. Contains inorganic arsenic. May cause nervous system effects. Causes eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. Target Organs: Liver, lungs, nervous system, skin.

Potential health effects

Eye: May cause eye irritation. May result in corneal injury. May cause skin irritation. May cause skin sensitization, an allergic reaction, which becomes evident upon re- Skin: exposure to this material. May cause liver damage. Can cause nervous system damage. Ingestion of arsenical compounds may cause burning of the lips, throat constriction, swallowing difficulties, severe abdominal pain, severe nausea, projectile vomiting, and profuse diarrhea. All soluble arsenic (As) compounds are considered to be poisonous to humans. Ingestion: Inorganic arsenic is more toxic than organic arsenic. Organic arsenic is excreted more rapidly than inorganic arsenic. Arsenic 5+ is excreted more rapidly than arsenic 3+. Arsenic inhibits enzymes required for cellular respiration and also competes with phosphorus for incorporation into ATP, depleting cellular energy stores and leading to cell death. Causes respiratory tract irritation. May cause effects similar to those described for ingestion. Inhalation of arsenic Inhalation: compounds may lead to irritation of the respiratory tract and to possible nasal perforation. Chronic ingestion is characterized by weakness, anorexia, gastrointestinal disturbances, impairment of cognitive Chronic: function, peripheral neuropathy, and skin disorders. Chronic ingestion may cause fetal effects. Inorganic arsenic compounds may cause skin and lung cancers in humans.