Arsenic acid

Agent Name
Arsenic acid
CAS Number
7778-39-4
Formula
As-H3-O4
Major Category
Metals
Arsenic acid formula graphical representation
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

Exposure Assessment

BEI
Inorganic arsenic plus methylated metabolites in urine = 35 ug As/L; end of workweek;
TLV (ACGIH)
0.01 mg/m3, as As
PEL (OSHA)
0.01 mg/m3, as As
IDLH (NIOSH)
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."

Adverse Effects

Anemia
Aplastic anemia
Neurotoxin
Sensorimotor
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Reproductive Toxin
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Established
NTP Carcinogen
Human carcinogen
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Human

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: