Arsenic is a chemical element; it has the symbol As and atomic number 33. It is a metalloid and one of the pnictogens, and therefore shares many properties with its group 15 neighbors phosphorus and antimony. Arsenic is notoriously toxic. It occurs naturally in many minerals, usually in combination with sulfur and metals, but also as a pure elemental crystal. It has various allotropes, but ...
Arsenic, a chemical element in the nitrogen group (Group 15 [Va] of the periodic table), existing in both gray and yellow crystalline forms. Its chemical symbol is As, and it was first clearly identified as a free substance in 1649 by German pharmacist Johann Schroeder.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed in the Earth’s crust. It is found in water, air, food, and soil. Exposure to arsenic affects human health.
WHO fact sheet on arsenic provides key facts and information on sources of exposure, health effects, WHO response.
Arsenic is an element that is widely distributed in the earth's crust. Elemental arsenic is ordinarily a steel grey metal-like material that sometimes occurs naturally. However, arsenic is usually found in the environment combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur. Arsenic combined with these elements is called inorganic arsenic. Arsenic combined with carbon and hydrogen ...
Organic arsenic is less toxic than inorganic arsenic. Inorganic arsenic contaminates groundwater. Vomiting, neurological, and cardiac toxicity, anemia and rashes occur with acute toxicity. Chronic toxicity is associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, anemia, decreased white cells, peripheral neuropathy, liver damage, and vascular insufficiency. Arsenic is a human carcinogen.
Arsenic is combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur to form inorganic arsenic compounds. Exposure to higher-than-average levels of arsenic occurs mainly in workplaces, near or in hazardous waste sites, and areas with high levels naturally occurring in soil, rocks, and water.