Arsenic poisoning caused

Belkin H. E., Zheng B., Zhou D., and Finkelman R. B. describe a unique case study of chronic arsenic poisoning caused by the domestic combustion of coal in... 

Armstrong, C.W., Stroube, R.B., Rubio, T., Siudyla, E.A., Miller, G.B. Outbreak of fatal arsenic poisoning caused by contaminated drinking water. Arch. Environ. Hlth. 1984 39 276-279... 

Muzi G, DeU omo M, Madeo G, Abbritti G, Caroli S. Arsenic poisoning caused by Indian ethnic remedies. J Pediatr 2001 139(1) 169. 

Besides the odor, there may be no other immediate sign that a person is breathing arsine. Its main effect is to destroy red blood cells, causing anemia (destruction of red blood cells) and kidney damage (from red blood cell debris). Within hours after a serious exposure, the victim may develop dark red or brown urine, back pain or belly pain, weakness, or shortness of breath. The skin or eyes may become yellow or bronze in color. Although arsine is related to arsenic, it does not produce the usual signs of arsenic poisoning. 

Arsenic is one of the oldest and best known of poisons. It is so well known, in fact, that when the wonderful Frank Capra comedy Arsenic and Old Lace was released, everyone knew that it was going to be a murder mystery in which someone would be poisoned. In fact, it has even been rumoured that Napoleon died from arsenic poisoning, the arsenic coming from the green dye on his wallpaper. We deduce that even a small amount of arsenic will cause death, or at least an unpleasant and lingering illness. 

Arsenic is highly toxic, and indeed much speculation has surrounded arsenic poisoning as the cause of death of Napoleon Bonaparte, on account of the levels of As in the Emperor s hair (perhaps derived from fungal activity on a green pigment present in the wallpaper of his apartments in St. Helena). Arsenic trioxide has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the USA for the treatment of acute promyelocytic anaemia in adult patients who fail to respond to other chemotherapy, or have relapsed disease. 

The inhalation of dust or fumes irritates the mucous membranes and leads to arsenical poisoning. Certain compounds, especially the trichloride and arsenic acid, irritate the eyes and skin, and absorption causes poisoning. If swallowed, arsenic compounds irritate the stomach severely and affect the heart, liver, and kidneys nervousness, thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis, and collapse may be symptoms. Prolonged inhalation of small concentrations of dust or fumes over a long period will cause poisoning skin contact over a long period may cause ulceration. 

Arsenic has been implicated as a cause of arteriosclerosis. Blackfoot disease, a malady suffered in areas of Taiwan having high soil and water levels of arsenic, is a very severe form of arteriosclerosis. Dilation of arteries and capillaries is a symptom of acute arsenic poisoning. 

The use of locally mined, high-arsenic (>100 ppm) coals has caused arsenic poisoning in several villages in Guizhou Province, China (Fig. 17.2 Zhou et al, 1993). Although coal has been produced and used in this area for 100 years, only with the increase in population and subsequent deforestation have some villages and... 

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