Sodium arsenite

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview Appearance: White to grey-white solid. Danger! May be fatal if swallowed. May be fatal if absorbed through the skin. Cancer hazard. Harmful if inhaled. Contains inorganic arsenic. Causes eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. Target Organs: Lungs, skin.

Potential health effects

Eye: May cause eye irritation. Skin: May cause skin irritation. May be fatal if absorbed through the skin. Exposure to arsenic compounds may produce hyperpigmentation of the skin and hyperkeratoses of plantar and palmar surfaces as well as both primary irritation and sensitization types. Ingestion: May be fatal if swallowed. Poison by ingestion. Causes gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. All soluble arsenic (As) compounds are considered to be poisonous to humans. 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+. - 1 - Inhalation: Causes respiratory tract irritation. Inhalation of arsenic compounds may lead to irritation of the respiratory tract and to possible nasal perforation. Long-term exposure to arsenic compounds may produce impairment of peripheral circulation. Chronic: Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis. Inorganic arsenic compounds may cause skin and lung cancers in humans.