Arsenic compounds acute toxicity

There are no structure-activity relationships applicable to estimating acute exposure limits for arsine. The nature and rapidity of its toxicity are notably different from other inorganic arsenic compounds. 

Kaise, T. and S. Fukui. 1992. The chemical form and acute toxicity of arsenic compounds in marine organisms. Appl. Organometall. Chem. 6 155-160. 

In recent times arsenic and arsenicals have been considered obsolete in medicine, because of their limited therapeutic value, multisystem toxicity, and apparent carcinogenic properties (SED-8, 502) (SED-9, 368). However, arsenic compounds have been used to treat various types of leukemia (1-3), including acute pro-myelocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and multiple myeloma (4). Arsenic trioxide is effective in acute promyelocytic leukemia, achieving a complete... 

Most arsenic compounds are highly toxic, causing dermatitis, acute and chronic poisoning, and possibly cancer. Arsenic is found in virtually all soil and other environmental matrices [16]. Arsenic is present in coal, pesticides, preservatives, etc. Arsenite, a commercial form of arsenic, is one of the most toxic forms of arsenic. 

In general, the acute toxicity of organic arsenic compounds is moderate, but at the end of their decomposition mechanism they are broken down into very toxic inorganic arsenic compounds in the soil, in plants and in warm-blooded organisms... 

There are many species and strain differences in the toxicity of arsenical compounds. The purity, physical form, and solubility of the compounds also influence toxicity. In a NRCC study (1978), the range of acute toxic values for fish was similar for arsenite and arsenate. Of seven tested fish species, LC50 values (median lethal dose) ranged from 13.3 mg (rainbow trout) to... 

Nowadays, it is well established that total arsenic concentrations provide no information about possible risks. The determination of individual molecular species of arsenic is absolutely necessary for risk assessment. Acute toxicities of the arsenic compounds are given in Table 1. Moreover, knowledge about the chemical form of an element provides useful information on its bioavailability, transport, and metabolism. 

Table 1 Acute Toxicities of Various Arsenic Compounds to Mice and Rats...

Nowadays, most of the arsenic-orientated analytical work is dealing with the determination of total arsenic concentrations in biological samples. The methods developed for this purpose allow the determination of trace and ultratrace concentrations simultaneously with other elements. The huge differences in the acute toxicities make it evident that total arsenic concentrations are not sufficient for risk assessment. Nowadays, methods for the determination of arsenic compounds are becoming more robust and are (or will be soon) routine methods. Scientists who investigate toxic and beneficial effects of arsenic must concentrate on the determination of arsenic compounds. 

II. Toxic dose. The toxicity of arsenic compounds varies considerably based on valence state, chemical composition, and solubility. Humans are generally more sensitive than other animals to the acute and chronic effects of arsenicals. 

A. Inorganic arsenic compounds. In general, trivalent arsenic (As ) is 2-10 times more acutely toxic than pentavalent arsenic (As ). However, overexposure to either form produces a similar pattern of effects, requiring the same clinical approach and management. 

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