Periodic Table of Elements

Element Arsenic - As

Comprehensive data on the chemical element Arsenic is provided on this page; including scores of properties, element names in many languages, most known nuclides of Arsenic. Common chemical compounds are also provided for many elements. In addition technical terms are linked to their definitions and the menu contains links to related articles that are a great aid in one's studies.

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Overview of Arsenic

Arsenic's Name in Other Languages

  • Latin: Arsenicum
  • Czech: Arzen
  • Croatian: Arsen
  • French: Arsenic
  • German: Arsenic - r
  • Italian: Arsenico
  • Norwegian: Arsen
  • Portuguese: Arsênio
  • Russian: Мышьяк
  • Spanish: Arsénico
  • Swedish: Arsenik

Atomic Structure of Arsenic

Chemical Properties of Arsenic

Physical Properties of Arsenic

Regulatory / Health

  • CAS Number
    • 7740-38-2
  • UN/NA ID and ERG Guide Number
    • UN1557  
  • RTECS: CG0525000
  • NFPA 704
    • Health: 3
    • Fire: 2
    • Reactivity:
    • Special Hazard:
  • OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
  • OSHA PEL Vacated 1989
  • NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)
    • No limits set by NIOSH
  • Routes of Exposure: Inhalation; Ingestion; Skin and/or eye contact
  • Target Organs: Skin, respiratory system, kidneys, central nervous system, liver, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive system
  • Levels In Humans:
    Note: this data represents naturally occuring levels of elements in the typical human, it DOES NOT represent recommended daily allowances.
    • Blood/mg dm-3: 0.0017-0.09
    • Bone/p.p.m: 0.08-1.6
    • Liver/p.p.m: 0.023-1.61
    • Muscle/p.p.m: 0.009-0.65
    • Daily Dietary Intake: 0.04-1.4 mg
    • Total Mass In Avg. 70kg human: 0.5-15 mg

Who / Where / When / How

  • Discoverer: Alberts Magna
  • Discovery Location: Unknown
  • Discovery Year: 1250
  • Name Origin:
    Greek: arsenikos (male); Latin: arsenicum.
  • Abundance of Arsenic:
    • Earth's Crust/p.p.m.: 1.5
    • Seawater/p.p.m.:
      • Atlantic Suface: 0.00145
      • Atlantic Deep: 0.00153
      • Pacific Surface: 0.00145
      • Pacific Deep: 0.00175
    • Atmosphere/p.p.m.: N/A
    • Sun (Relative to H=1E12): N/A
  • Sources of Arsenic:
    Found in mispickel (arsenopyrite). Mainly produced as a by-product of refining certain sulfide ores. Annual world wide production is around 47,000 tons (As2O3).
  • Uses of Arsenic:
    Used as a deadly poison, in shotgun pellets, metal for mirrors, glass, lasers, light-emitting diodes (LED) and in semiconductors.
  • Additional Notes:
    Arsenic is a carcinogen, associated with lung cancer when inhaled. Contact with skin can result in skin cancer. Also damage to intestines and liver. Toxic when ingested. Found in pesticides and wood preservatives. It is naturally occurring in many household products. It may have been known to ancient civilizations, but was probably first isolated by Magnus who lived between 1193-1280. Many sources reference 1250 as the year of discovery but this may be speculation.

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References

A list of reference sources used to compile the data provided on our periodic table of elements can be found on the main periodic table page.

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