Arsenic acid

Synonyms

Acide arsenique liquide [French]; Arsenate; Arsenic acid (H3AsO4); Arsenic acid, liquid; Crab grass killer; Desiccant L-10; Dessicant L-10; HI-Yield desiccant H-10; Orthoarsenic acid; Scorch; Zotox; Zotox Crab Grass Killer; [ChemIDplus] UN1553(liquid); UN1554(solid);

Category

Arsenic Compounds, Inorganic

Description

White solid; Commercial grade (75%) is a very pale yellow liquid; [HSDB] Hemihydrate is hygroscopic; [Merck Index] Pale yellow liquid with a light sweet odor; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used to make arsenates and glass; Also used as a wood preservative, defoliant, desiccant for cotton, and soil sterilant; [Hawley]

Comments

Chemical formula is H3AsO4.1/2H2O; [Hawley] Exists only as hemihydrate; [Merck Index] Toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption; [CAMEO] Arsenic acid (80% in water) can cause arsenic poisoning; [ICSC] A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; [MSDSonline] See "Arsenic" and the linked occupational diseases.

Biomedical References

Inorganic arsenic plus methylated metabolites in urine = 35 ug As/L; end of workweek;

0.01 mg/m3, as As

0.01 mg/m3, as As

5 mg/m3, as As

Explanatory Notes

The TLV is for "Arsenic acid and its salts, as As; [ACGIH] The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Arsenic acid, liquid."

Aplastic anemia

Sensorimotor

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Established

Human carcinogen

Confirmed Human

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Arsenic, chronic toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Applying Wood Preservatives
• Farming (Pesticides)
• Glass Manufacturing