What does arsenic mean in literature?

1 : a solid chemical element that is used especially in wood preservatives, alloys, and semiconductors and is extremely toxic in both pure and combined forms — see Chemical Elements Table. 2 : a poisonous trioxide As2O3 or As4O6 of arsenic used especially as an insecticide or weed killer.

What is a synonym for arsenic?

synonyms: arsenic trioxide, arsenous anhydride, arsenous oxide, ratsbane, white arsenic.

What does arsenate mean?

Definition of arsenate : a salt or ester of an arsenic acid.

What form is arsenic?

Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid element that comes in three major forms: inorganic, organic and arsine gas (-3 oxidative state), as well as three major valence states arsenic element (0), arsenite (trivalent +3) and arsenate (pentavalent +5).

Whats the opposite of arsenic?

The word arsenic typically refers to the toxic, semi-metallic, chemical element with symbol As and atomic number 33. There are no categorical antonyms for this word. However, one could loosely use other chemicals elements, especially non-toxic and non-metallic, as antonyms, e.g., carbon, hydrogen, etc.

What is arsenate and arsenite?

Chemical Contaminants Arsenic exists in two oxidation states—arsenate, As(III), and arsenite, As(V)—both of which are anions (see also Chapter 8). Although both forms are toxic, arsenite is much more toxic and is also very soluble and mobile in water environments.

What is arsenic?

Arsenic is naturally present at high levels in the groundwater of a number of countries. Arsenic is highly toxic in its inorganic form. Contaminated water used for drinking, food preparation and irrigation of food crops poses the greatest threat to public health from arsenic. Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking-water

What is inorganic arsenic in drinking water?

Inorganic arsenic is a confirmed carcinogen and is the most significant chemical contaminant in drinking-water globally. Arsenic can also occur in an organic form. Inorganic arsenic compounds (such as those found in water) are highly toxic while organic arsenic compounds (such as those found in seafood) are less harmful to health.

What are the sources of arsenic exposure?

Drinking-water, crops irrigated with contaminated water and food prepared with contaminated water are the sources of exposure. Fish, shellfish, meat, poultry, dairy products and cereals can also be dietary sources of arsenic, although exposure from these foods is generally much lower compared to exposure through contaminated groundwater.

What are the symptoms of arsenic poisoning?

Inorganic arsenic compounds (such as those found in water) are highly toxic while organic arsenic compounds (such as those found in seafood) are less harmful to health. The immediate symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning include vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.