Toxicological Effects of Arsenic - Term Paper Example

Toxicological Effects of Arsenic Introduction It is important to highlight that this paper delves in the discussion of the toxicology. This is the effect of how hazardous a given factor can be to the life of an organism. This is in relation to the environmental concerns. The paper has therefore been segmented in to sections for each area that is handled in the paper to be clearly seen, that is, to enhance clarity and neatness of the paper (Mtsiva, 2003). Physical and Chemical Properties of Arsenic It occurs in group five of the periodic table just below nitrogen and phosphorus. It is classified chemically as a metalloid, having both properties of a metal and non metal. Arsenic also occurs in crystalline metallic form which is a steel gray solid and in dark gray amorphous solid. It exists in one of the three oxidation states; -3, ÷3, and +5 (Edward, and Carol, 2011). These compounds can be classified as either inorganic or organic. Inorganic arsenic compounds are those without arsenic-carbon bond while organic arsenic compounds are those with an arsenic-carbon bond (Ecclestone, 2010). Uses of Arsenic Global production of arsenic is estimated to be 75,000 tons annually (NAS 1977; EPA 1980) of which almost 97% is used in the manufacture of arsenic trioxide and others are used to manufacture of special lead and copper alloys. Arsenic is used as homeopathic remedies used to cure patients with digestive problems, food poisoning, insomnia, allergies, anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Arsenic compounds have been used in the manufacture of medicine since the time of Hippocrates (David, 2008); the production of herbicides, desiccants, wood preservatives, and the development of stimulants for plants and animals. Other smaller amounts are used in the manufacture of glass and textiles (Toropova, Roncaglioni, and Benfenati, 2011). Importance of Arsenic in aquatic environment Arsenics are in constant change and is oxidized, reduced or metabolized and is used in plant uptake or reduction by organisms and chemical processes. These compounds have been used for a long time for the manufacture of medicines ranging from human medicine, plant medicine and also other aquatic organisms. High concentrations of arsenic in aquatic environment can slow down the growth of aquatic organisms such as fish and invertebrates. Arsenic is very vital in the aeration process of the water (David, 2008). Source of Arsenic compounds Arsenic occurs naturally as sulfides and as complex sulfides such as iron, nickel and cobalt. Arsenic is usually present in rocks, soils, water and living organisms at concentrations of parts per billion to parts per million (NAS 1977). Secondary iron oxides in mineralized zones that contain gold, silver and sulfides of lead and zinc.Natural weathering of rocks and soils adds approximately 40,000 tons of arsenic to the oceans every year and this accounts for Read More