Is it possible to get poisoned by arsenic? Causes, symptoms and treatment of arsenic poisoning. Symptoms of chronic poisoning

Arsenic is one of the simple chemical elements on the periodic table. It owes its Russian name to mice and rats - after all, this substance is actively used to kill harmful rodents. And the Greek roots of the name “arsen” speak of its strength and power. Tasteless and odorless, it can be either organic or inorganic compounds. The environment and industrial products are not a complete list of where arsenic is found. In ancient times it was used as a remedy. Even in not so distant years, organic compounds of this element were used to treat syphilis, amebiasis, epilepsy and psoriasis.

And today it is still used in dentistry.

Its inorganic compounds are considered the most harmful. If it enters the body it causes poisoning. In order to prevent such consequences through ignorance or carelessness, you need to be aware of where arsenic is found, know the main symptoms and promptly seek first aid.

How it works

There are several options for the penetration of the element into the body:

through the mouth;
through the skin;
by inhaling vapors.

Once in the body, arsenic quickly reaches red blood cells through the blood. By binding to globin, it reaches the liver, kidneys and other vital organs, primarily the heart. Damage occurs to the nervous system and digestive organs. Biological and chemical activity is disrupted, as well as respiratory activity at the cellular level. A dose of 0.05 grams can be lethal.

Poisoning has two forms of the disease:

Acute. It is characterized by a rapid course of the disease with corresponding symptoms when a large volume of this element penetrates the body. Today, cases of this form of arsenic poisoning are recorded as the result of a suicide attempt or murder, as well as accidental consumption or a workplace accident.
Chronic. This form of poisoning in most cases is recorded as a result of occupational influence on the patient’s body during his work in industrial production, as well as during prolonged consumption of poisoned food, medications or water in small quantities. With prolonged exposure to the body, arsenic accumulates in tissues and organs, causing slow intoxication. This course of poisoning is most often observed in patients who work at enterprises in the chemical, fur, leather industries, as well as in agricultural production, where chemical fertilizers are actively used.

Arsenic is not eliminated from the body for a long time. Two weeks after its penetration into the body, the presence of the element is detected in the nails and hair of the victim. It continues to remain in the teeth and bones for no less long. The overwhelming majority of the element is excreted by the kidneys, and only ten percent by the intestines. Arsenic absorption occurs through the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and lungs. In this case, inorganic compounds are absorbed more easily.

Causes

Arsenic can be found in the natural environment: in soil and rock - from where it reaches surface and groundwater; may also be in the air. In addition, it is actively used in various industries:

As a rule, poisoning occurs for a number of reasons that contribute to the penetration of toxic amounts of arsenic:

as a result of inhalation of air that contains a dangerous element;
when consuming food products that are saturated with harmful compounds, seafood is especially different in this regard;
when drinking water contaminated with this element;
as a result of prolonged stay in regions that have elevated levels of arsenic;
during professional activities that involve contact with this harmful substance as a result of an accident;
failure to comply with safety measures.

Arsenic poisoning: symptoms

Signs of poisoning in the patient are observed approximately thirty minutes after the poison enters the body. If penetration occurs by inhalation or ingestion on an empty stomach, then the effect of the dangerous element, penetrating into the blood, occurs almost instantly. In this situation, the possibility of death greatly increases. When arsenic enters the body along with food, the effect of the toxic element in most cases takes longer to manifest itself - sometimes it takes hours.

Signs of poisoning:

presence of headache;
feeling of general weakness;
the presence of nausea followed by vomiting;
the presence of spasmodic pain in the abdominal area;
the formation of stools that resemble rice broth;
garlic-smelling breath;
constant desire to drink, dehydration.

In case of poisoning, organs and systems are affected with the corresponding symptoms:

Cardiovascular. The patient experiences a decrease in blood pressure, disruption of the conduction of the heart muscle. A characteristic symptom is also a rapid heartbeat.

Nervous. The presence of delirium, often convulsions, and often a disorder of the nervous system leads the patient into a coma.

Respiratory. A spasm of the larynx occurs, the lungs swell, breathing becomes heavy, and the combination of disorders and respiratory failure makes it difficult for the patient to breathe.

Digestive. Damage to the system is characterized by burns of the pharynx, the formation of ulcers and other pathologies of the esophageal mucosa, and bleeding.

The blood also changes, which is manifested by hemolysis. As a result of the destruction of red blood cells and kidney damage, the urine becomes dark in color. Blood appears in it as a consequence of the development of renal failure.

Depending on what clinical signs appear in the patient, most forms of poisoning are distinguished. If symptoms of disorders of the digestive organs predominate, then, as a rule, this may indicate that the patient has a gastrointestinal form of poisoning. The greatest danger is the paralytic form, which has severe neurological symptoms and ends in coma.

Chronic poisoning, as a rule, begins to show characteristic signs in the period from 15 days to 2 months after arsenic enters the body. Toxins of the element affect the cerebral cortex, resulting in the development of encephalopathy. This negatively affects the peripheral nerves that regulate the activity of the lower extremities. If neuropathy is present, the patient experiences pain, leg weakness, etc.

Due to disturbances in the heart muscle, capillaries may dilate and myocarditis may develop. As well as hepatitis and other serious diseases. Chronic intoxication is also characterized by malaise, hair loss and other symptoms.

The systemic effect of arsenic is characterized by the following changes in the skin and nails:

pigmentation and redness in the eyelids, armpits, neck, temples and other places;
hyperkeratosis or severe growth of the superficial skin layer, thickening and peeling;
light transverse lines on the nail bed.

As a carcinogen, arsenic causes the risk of developing malignant tumors of the skin, liver, lungs and other organs.

Diagnostics

The specialist interviews the patient about the characteristic signs and history of the disease, then begins a physical examination. It can be very difficult to immediately diagnose arsenic poisoning with one hundred percent probability, since the disease has quite different symptoms. To clarify the diagnosis, the following tests may be prescribed:

blood (normal arsenic level is 30 mcg per l), as well as for the presence of anemia, leukopenia, etc.);
urine (normal arsenic level is 100 mcg per l), as well as for the presence of hematuria, proteinuria, etc.);
hair and nails. Arsenic is detected in the patient several months after poisoning.

Laboratory tests are also carried out. Since this element is impenetrable to x-rays, its accumulation is easily detected on x-rays of the abdominal cavity.

First aid

The poisoned victim must be kept calm and given water. Drinking should be frequent, but in small doses.

An ambulance must be called immediately.
If the patient is unconscious, you need to lay him on his side.
If there are no signs of life, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary.

If the victim is conscious, it is necessary to free his body from the remnants of the toxin. To do this, you need to rinse the stomach using a sufficient amount of water. It is also recommended to use salt as an additive; two spoons per liter of water will be enough. Arsenic on the surface of the skin can be removed using water, soap and a washcloth.

If the patient has a mild form of poisoning, then hospitalization may not be necessary. But victims who are in severe and moderate severity require hospitalization.

Who to contact

If it was not possible to avoid poisoning, and the victim’s condition allows him to make decisions independently, then you should see an epidemiologist or infectious disease specialist. When the situation is more serious, it is necessary to call an ambulance.

Treatment

If a patient is diagnosed with acute arsenic poisoning and does not lose consciousness, the first step is to induce vomiting using ipecac syrup.

Oxygen inhalation. If poisoning occurs in pairs.
Infusion therapy. Sodium bicarbonate is introduced, which helps reduce the effects of poisoning and also maintains blood pressure levels.
Glucose-novocaine mixture. It is administered when severe hemolysis occurs and hemoglobin is present in the urine.
Eufillin. This medicine is used to treat difficulty breathing in the victim.
Unithiol. It is a specific antidote. It is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. It binds well to poison and the resulting insoluble substances are excreted by the kidneys. If the victim has a mild injury and tests show an insignificant concentration of arsenic in the blood serum and urine, the drug is administered at a dose of 2-3 mg/kg four times a day, and then one to two times for ten days. Patients who have more severe signs of poisoning with high levels of arsenic are treated similarly to the first case, but the dose is increased to 3-5 mg.
Forced diuresis and hemodialysis. If, as a result of arsenic hydrogen poisoning, a patient suffers from renal failure, then they are usually treated with exchange blood transfusion and hemodialysis. In this case, the use of dimercaprol is considered ineffective.
D-penicillamine. It is mainly used for treatment when a chronic form of poisoning is diagnosed. The drug is administered orally, the course of treatment with the drug is five days. The most pronounced side effects that can occur after using penicillamine are the formation of a rash, thrombocytopenia, and others.

Summing up the conversation about the treatment of this dangerous element, we should once again remember that preventing poisoning is much easier than dealing with the consequences later. Indeed, at present, in fact, there are no sufficiently effective means to combat arsenic poisoning. However, many measures, including the use of drugs such as 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonate, as well as those discussed above, can bring some benefit. A remedy such as succimer is also used during treatment. Medicines are available both in the form of tablets and for injection.

In cases where it is not possible to accurately diagnose poisoning or the treatment measures taken are not effective enough, specialists develop a number of measures to reduce the severity of symptoms.

Arsenic and dentistry

Often, patients who are planning to go to the dentist are concerned about the question of whether they are at risk of getting poisoned by arsenic used in dental treatment? In fact, in the past, arsenic paste was very often used when filling teeth. As a result of the effect of this drug on the nerve cells of the tooth, they died, and the tooth stopped hurting. The drug was placed under a temporary filling. However, in order to avoid complications, we did not wear such a filling for a long time. Since, although very small, there was a possibility of poisoning, a metallic taste could even be felt in the mouth. In most cases, damage was caused to the tissues surrounding the tooth - swelling and inflammation developed, and could also result in bone necrosis and tooth loss.

If the procedure is performed correctly, it is almost impossible to get poisoned when filling teeth with arsenic. Currently, arsenic paste has been replaced by other products; as a rule, these preparations do not contain toxic substances.

Prevention

Anyone can be poisoned by arsenic. But certain categories of citizens are at increased risk of being exposed to arsenic. Among them:

working in companies that process wood with this element;
living in regions where there are elevated levels of arsenic in natural conditions;
working in electronics, glass, metalworking and other industries where this poison is used.

To reduce the risk of arsenic poisoning, you must follow the safety rules:

Drink water that has only been purified, eat foods whose quality you have no doubt about.
Do not store medications containing arsenic at home. If for some reason this cannot be done, then store them in places inaccessible to children. We must not forget that children's bodies are more susceptible to the effects of poison.
Pregnant women should be especially careful, since harm is caused not only to the expectant mother, but also to the child who will be born.
When working in a workplace where arsenic is used, for example, wear protective equipment: clothing, a mask and gloves. Do not burn wood material treated with arsenic.
Those living in areas where there is a high level of arsenic in nature should drink purified water and have limited contact with the soil.

The rules of prevention are simple, but if you follow them impeccably, you can protect yourself from such a complex and dangerous disease.

If they enter the body, they cause poisoning. However, absolutely all arsenic compounds are poisonous. There is not a single substance containing this element that does not cause a negative reaction in the body. Depending on the duration of exposure and the dose entering the human body, acute or chronic arsenic poisoning can occur. Toxic disorders that this element provokes in the body are always fatal. Even after the substance is completely removed from the human body, the consequences of poisoning can become apparent after several years.

There is not a single person who can provide complete protection from arsenic entering the body. The substance is found both in industry and in everyday life among insecticides. Until recently, arsenic poisoning was possible during dental treatment, and only since 2014 has it been completely abandoned in dentistry. However, it is still sometimes used by provincial dentists to kill the nerve in the tooth.

The problem of poisoning is especially pressing for people who work with arsenic compounds. These substances are widely used:

in metallurgy;
in livestock farming;
when working with insecticides;
in glassmaking.

Arsenic can enter the body through accidental or intentional use. Since its oxide is whitish in color, it resembles flour in appearance, which sometimes leads to the mistaken use of poison. Ingestion for suicidal purposes is not common, but similar situations do occur, especially with mentally unstable people.

What happens in the body

When arsenic poisoning occurs, a person develops signs of damage to many organs and systems. In acute intoxication, which most often occurs when poison is ingested, the digestive tract suffers, and subsequently, due to the resorptive effect, a picture of acute renal failure is formed. Chronic poisoning is possible not only due to oral intake of arsenic into the body. The poison is absorbed through the skin and the respiratory tract.

Pathological changes that occur in humans depend on the method of penetration of the toxic substance. But in most situations the following disorders are observed:

damage to the digestive system - gastritis, pancreatitis, enterocolitis;
effects on the respiratory system - laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis;
intoxication of the nervous system – polyneuropathy, encephalopathy;
kidney damage - nephritis with the development of atrophic changes in the tissues of the organ;
allergic reactions on the skin.

Gingivitis with bleeding gums is sometimes observed in the oral cavity. As a result of intoxication, multiple organ damage develops, which threatens the life of the affected person.

How does intoxication manifest itself?

Symptoms of arsenic poisoning depend on the amount of poison that enters the body. If the substance is taken orally, acute intoxication develops with leading signs of damage to the gastrointestinal tract. The most typical clinical manifestations are:

diarrhea;
vomit;
pain in the umbilical region;
fever;
severe weakness.

Intestinal symptoms develop suddenly, against the background of complete well-being. Often such patients end up in infectious diseases departments, where it is not always possible to quickly diagnose the problem. Diarrhea is repeated, without impurities, the stool is often foamy with a whitish tint. Vomiting and diarrhea lead to rapid dehydration, which increases intoxication. On the first day, there is a metallic taste in the oral cavity and dysphagia, which is manifested by difficulty in passing food through the esophagus.

Intoxication increases rapidly, dehydration intensifies, and consciousness becomes confused. Delirium, hallucinations, and then convulsions appear. A further possible outcome can be fatal, as irreversible changes occur in the body:

kidney tissue is affected, which leads to acute kidney failure;
The pathology of the brain worsens, microhemorrhages occur in its substance;
seizures become serial;
oxygen starvation increases due to congestion in the lungs;
saturation drops, congestive pneumonia forms.

In the future, in the absence of help, death inevitably occurs. If the toxic component enters the body in a small dose, then spontaneous recovery is possible, but changes in the kidneys can last a lifetime.

How does chronic intoxication manifest itself?

If arsenic enters the body over a long period of time, especially through inhalation or transdermal routes, then the clinical picture is characterized by a polymorphism of manifestations. Signs of arsenic poisoning develop gradually; they are masked by somatic diseases. Damage to many body systems is observed.

If poisoning with inhaled arsenic occurs, then manifestations from the respiratory system occur:

painful cough;
hoarseness of voice;
sore throat;
dyspnea;
possible hemoptysis.

The examination reveals signs of laryngitis and bronchitis. However, with a further increase in intoxication, typical signs of damage to the digestive and nervous systems appear. Clinically, chronic poisoning, in which arsenic enters the body for a long time in small doses by any route, looks like this:

respiratory disorders increase;
abdominal pain appears without clear localization;
the liver and pancreas are affected;
irreversible changes form in the kidneys, which leads to a decrease in the volume of urine excreted;
The nervous system is affected, which is manifested by convulsive seizures, clouded consciousness, delusions and hallucinations.

If arsenic poisoning occurs due to transdermal spread of the poison, then symptoms appear on the skin. Usually this is an allergic rash without a specific component, which is prone to merging and peeling. Skin manifestations persist for a long time, often accompanied by signs of respiratory impairment. And only when a toxic dose accumulates in the body does the poisoning progress and the patient’s condition sharply worsens.

A little about diagnostics

It is not difficult to detect large amounts of arsenic in the body using simple examination methods.

Blood test. Standard testing can detect arsenic. Normally, the element is contained in the blood at a concentration of 0.04 µmol/l. When this indicator increases, arsenic intoxication is very likely.
Marsh's sample. Qualitative reaction to arsenic. It is rarely performed in clinical practice, but forensic examinations often use this technique.
X-ray examination. When metal accumulates in parenchymal organs, a classic darkening is observed due to the fact that arsenic does not conduct X-rays.

A comprehensive diagnosis consists of finding out the medical history, the characteristics of a person’s work, conducting tests and assessing clinical symptoms.

How is the treatment carried out?

Regardless of whether the poisoning is acute or chronic, therapy must be carried out within a short period of time. The more intensive the treatment process, especially if an antidote is used, the higher the chances of recovery without serious consequences. The basic principles of therapeutic effects are as follows:

mechanical elimination of arsenic by gastric lavage;
detoxification;
specific therapy with the introduction of an antidote;
symptomatic help.

Plays the most important role. It must be performed through a probe, the total volume of rinsing water is at least 10 liters. If less than a day has passed since the poisoning, then the effectiveness of this technique is quite high.

Detoxification is aimed at relieving symptoms of damage to organs and systems. It is carried out through intravenous infusions of plasma-substituting solutions and oral fluids. The total volume of fluid that should enter the body is at least 3 liters. To ensure proper kidney function, diuretics are prescribed in addition to infusion solutions.

When an accurate diagnosis of arsenic poisoning is established, an antidote must be prescribed. The only antidote is the drug Unithiol. This is a complexing substance that binds metal in the human body. The average dose in adults is 2 grams per day. The medicine is administered only parenterally, often intravenously. The duration of the course for arsenic poisoning is 7 days. The dose of the antidote is gradually reduced by 0.25 grams daily towards the end of treatment.

Symptomatic care is aimed at combating complications and relieving painful clinical manifestations of intoxication. The following groups of drugs are prescribed:

enterosorbents – , ;
antibiotics to prevent inflammation due to congestion in the lungs;
antitussive drugs – Glaucine, Codeine;
diuretics;
drugs that improve brain metabolism - Piracetam, Actovegin;
antihistamines to combat allergies - Suprastin, Tavegil.

With complex therapy, it is often possible to achieve clinical recovery, but arsenic can cause changes that last a lifetime.

Forecast and consequences

With timely initiation of therapy, complete clinical recovery is possible. However, the prognosis is always serious, especially in acute intoxications. The consequences of any arsenic poisoning can significantly reduce life expectancy. The most common complications are:

pneumonia;
renal failure, which is chronic with slow progression;
intellectual disabilities;
oncological diseases, since arsenic is a provocateur of the growth of tumor cells.

Further observation in the clinic after arsenic poisoning is carried out for life.

Conclusion

Any poisoning with arsenic compounds is extremely life-threatening. People working with this element must carefully follow safety rules. Is it possible to get poisoned by arsenic by accident? In everyday life this is also likely, especially when using insecticides. Each case of contact with this toxic element requires careful adherence to individual safety measures. When the first symptoms of intoxication appear, immediate medical attention is required. Only quick, timely treatment can save a person’s life.

Practicing doctor, 15 years of experience, highest medical category. I have certificates in gastroenterology, family medicine, and endoscopy. I have experience teaching students. In practice, we often have to work with poisoning. I work in the Ryazan region.

Arsenic is not only a poison, but also a medicine. It is widely used both in production and as part of medicines.

Arsenic is a chemical element, the atoms of which are found in organic and inorganic substances in the environment, in industrial products and products of human economic activity. Arsenic compounds are found:

in rocks, soil, water sources;
smoke generated during the combustion of coal, ore smelting;
seafood, especially shellfish, lobster, shrimp, lobster;
herbicides – substances used to kill pests;
coloring matter, preservatives;
at leather industry enterprises;
in factories for the production of glass, electronic devices;
in chemical production.

Causes of poisoning

Main causes of poisoning:

Violation by a person of the rules for handling toxic substances.
Eating contaminated food or water.
Attempted murder or suicide.
Unintentional poisoning.

The effect of arsenic compounds on the body

Arsenic and its compounds cause damage to all organs and systems of the body. The mechanism of action is associated with metabolic disorders in the body (metabolism of sulfur, selenium and phosphorus).

Musculoskeletal system

The effect of the poison on the musculoskeletal system of the body is expressed in muscle pain, paresis, and paresthesia. Muscle atrophy and paralysis may develop. In severe cases, gangrene of the extremities cannot be ruled out.

Coverings of the body

Contact of arsenic compounds on human skin causes damage. After a few months, you may notice the appearance of hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis (thickening of the outer stratum corneum of the epidermis) on the skin. Hyperkeratosis mainly appears on the palms and soles. With long-term, chronic poisoning, dilation of skin blood vessels is observed, and over time, low-grade skin cancer may develop. Necrotic changes appear in places where the body comes into contact with the poison. A few weeks after poisoning, you can see characteristic stripes on your nails. Nails become brittle. The sclera and mucous membranes turn yellow, and jaundice develops.

Circulatory system

Arsenic compounds change the cellular composition of human blood, causing anemia with leukopenia (decreased number of neutrophils) and eosinophilia (increased number of eosinophils). Anisocytosis (change in blood cell size) may develop. The absorption of folic acid is impaired, which causes hemodynamic disturbances. Paralysis of the capillaries occurs, their permeability increases, and hidden edema appears. Blood plasma sweats out and accumulates in the internal organs, penetrating into body cavities. Blood thickening occurs, hypotension (low blood pressure) develops, heart rhythm is disturbed, and heart failure develops.

Nervous system

In case of acute poisoning, a person develops encephalopathy, feet and fingers lose skin sensitivity. The blood vessels of the brain are destroyed, and a hemorrhagic stroke develops. Memory and speech are impaired, and psychosis may develop.

Respiratory system, cellular respiration

When arsenic drugs enter the respiratory tract, bronchospasm and pulmonary edema develop, which most often ends in death. Doctors have accumulated facts that indicate that people who work in industries with arsenic preparations are more likely to get lung cancer. With chronic poisoning, a runny nose, constant lacrimation, and difficulty breathing appear. There is a disruption of cellular respiration and a decrease in the energy resources of the cell. Acidosis develops (disturbance of acid-base balance towards acidification), lactic and pyruvic acids accumulate in tissues, causing disturbances in tissue metabolism.

Digestive system

Since arsenic binds to food substances, symptoms of poisoning in humans do not appear immediately, but only after 10-12 hours. When it enters the digestive system, the effect of the poison is manifested by a burning sensation on the lips, a garlicky odor (a characteristic symptom), a metallic taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, severe unbearable pain in the stomach, and uncontrollable vomiting. The stool becomes thin, watery, often similar to rice water. A person is tormented by constant thirst. With chronic poisoning, a person suffers from stomatitis. When exposed to arsenic drugs on liver cells, depending on the dose of the toxic substance, hepatitis or cirrhosis develops. It is known that arsenic compounds are used in dentistry to necrotize the pulp. Doctors say that if the drug is removed in time, poisoning will not occur.

Excretory system

Due to a violation of the capillary system of the kidneys, the formation of urine is disrupted, and protein appears in the urine. When arsine (an arsenic compound) enters the body, the urine turns black. Sense organs There is a disorder of smell, taste, and vision.

Endocrine system

It has been noted that in areas with high levels of arsenic in water, endemic goiter is more common in people.

Reproductive system

Arsenic has a toxic effect on the chromosomes of germ cells. The effect of small doses of arsenic on the body is characterized by the following symptoms:

weakness and chills appear;
bleeding gums, anemia;
diarrhea or constipation develops;
a person suddenly loses weight and loses strength;
the muscles of the limbs atrophy;
the skin changes color, becomes gray, then jaundiced;
Ulcers, peeling, and stripes appear on the nails.

Arsenic tends to accumulate (cumulate) in the tissues and systems of the body: hair, nails, skin, and internal organs. Arsenic is excreted very slowly through the kidneys and intestines.

Biological role of arsenic and its compounds

The role of arsenic in the body is not fully understood, but it is known that arsenic:

takes part in the absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus;
is a participant in enzymatic reactions;
influences oxidative processes in mitochondria;
improves hematopoiesis and stimulates metabolism.

With a lack of arsenic, the growth and development of the body slows down, and the concentration of fats decreases.

Arsenic as a medicine

Arsenic is not only a poison, but also a medicine. Some arsenic preparations are included in medicines and are used to treat bacterial and protozoal infections:

Aminarzone - used for the treatment of amoebiasis, balantidiasis, trichomoniasis (protozoal infections).
Novarsenol is active against trypanosomes, spirilla, spirochetes.
Arsenic anhydride is used in the treatment of skin diseases, as a necrotizing agent in dentistry.
Miarsenol is used to treat relapsing fever, malaria, and syphilis.

Providing first aid in case of poisoning

If a person is intoxicated with arsenic compounds, you need to:

call an ambulance or emergency help;
remove the person from the zone of action of the poison;
to reduce the effect of arsenic on the skin, the poison from the surface of the skin should be washed off with soap and water, and the eyes should be washed with a 2% soda solution;
do a gastric lavage with two liters of water and four teaspoons of table salt; give activated carbon (one tablet per kilogram of weight);
If breathing and cardiac activity stop, carry out resuscitation measures.

To completely remove the toxin from the body, you need specific medical care, which can only be provided in a hospital.

To avoid getting poisoned by arsenic and its compounds, you must strictly adhere to the rules for working with toxic substances and storage rules. It is prohibited to store poisons in the kitchen or food warehouses so that they do not accidentally get into food.

Arsenic is the 33rd element of the periodic table. It is found in organic and inorganic form in the environment, in industrial products and by-products of human activity. In ancient times it was used for medicinal purposes and as a poisonous substance. This semimetal is still used by dentists today.

Arsenic poisoning can happen through negligence or intentionally. Therefore, it is necessary to know where this element is contained and in what cases you can get poisoned. Knowing the symptoms of intoxication and how to provide first aid will help you navigate an emergency situation in a timely manner.

Causes of arsenic poisoning

Where can arsenic be found?

Causes of poisoning:

consumption of contaminated food and water;
industrial accident;
failure to comply with safety precautions when working with toxic substances;
suicide;
attempted murder.

How does arsenic affect humans?

There are three ways arsenic enters the body:

ingestion through the mouth;
skin penetration;
inhalation of toxic fumes.

When arsenic enters the body, it quickly moves from blood plasma to red blood cells. Here it binds to protein (globin) and travels through the bloodstream to the liver, kidneys, spleen, heart and lungs. The nervous system and digestive organs suffer. It acts at the cellular level, disrupting the most important biochemical processes and cellular respiration. The lethal dose is 0.05–0.2 grams.

Poisoning can be acute or chronic. Signs of acute arsenic poisoning appear quickly when a significant amount of this element enters the human body. Chronic intoxication develops slowly, when the metal enters various organs and tissues over a long period of time, gradually accumulating in them. This can be observed in people working in the leather, fur, chemical industries, and in agriculture, where pesticides and herbicides are used.

Arsenic remains in the body for a long time. 2 weeks after poisoning it can be detected in hair and nails. It also persists for a long time in bones and teeth. Arsenic is excreted 90% by the kidneys, the remaining 10% leaves the body through the intestines.

Symptoms of arsenic poisoning

Symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning in humans can be observed approximately half an hour after ingestion of the poison. When inhaling vapors or swallowing on an empty stomach, arsenic very quickly penetrates the blood, the clinic increases at lightning speed. In this case, there is a high probability of death. If the toxic substance enters the body with food, the effect may appear after several hours.

Signs of arsenic poisoning:

Most organs and systems are affected, which is manifested by corresponding symptoms.

Depending on the predominance of clinical manifestations, a gastrointestinal form of poisoning is distinguished, when symptoms of damage to the digestive organs come to the fore. A more severe option is the paralytic form with severe neurological symptoms and the development of coma.

In chronic arsenic poisoning, symptoms begin to appear between two and eight weeks after the element enters the body. As a result of the toxic effect of arsenic, the cerebral cortex is damaged and encephalopathy develops. The peripheral nerves that regulate the activity of the lower extremities are affected. With neuropathy, pain, loss of sensitivity, and weakness in the legs are observed.

Changes also occur in the heart muscle. Myocarditis and pericarditis develop. There is a persistent dilation of small vessels (capillaries). Possibly toxic liver damage - hepatitis. Laryngitis, bronchitis and tracheitis may occur. A low level of hemoglobin is detected in the blood. General weakness, malaise, and hair loss are also characteristic of chronic intoxication.

With systemic exposure to arsenic, changes in the skin and nails appear:

redness and hyperpigmentation in the eyelids, armpits, temples, neck, scrotum and nipples;
excessive growth of the surface layer of the skin (hyperkeratosis);
skin thickening and detachment - peeling;
White transverse lines appear on the nail bed.

Arsenic is a carcinogen. Over time, skin and lung cancer can develop.

Is it possible to get arsenic poisoning during dental treatment?

Many people, when going to the dentist, wonder whether it is possible to be poisoned by arsenic from the tooth. Previously, arsenic paste was often used to kill the nerve. When exposed to such a drug, nerve cells die and the tooth stops hurting. But you cannot walk with such a filling for more than two days, as complications may arise.

If toxic material is not removed from the body in time, there is a small chance of symptoms of poisoning occurring. There may be a metallic taste in the mouth. But more often the structures surrounding the tooth suffer: inflammation and swelling of the soft tissues (periodontitis) and bone necrosis develop. As a result, the tooth can be lost.

If everything is done correctly, arsenic poisoning during dental treatment is unlikely. Moreover, now there are modern drugs that do not contain toxic substances. Arsenic pastes began to be used very rarely.

First aid for arsenic poisoning

First aid for arsenic poisoning is carried out as standard.

For mild poisoning, hospitalization may not be required. Victims in serious condition, as well as those of moderate severity, should be sent to a hospital.

Treatment of arsenic poisoning

The main treatment for arsenic poisoning includes the following series of therapeutic measures.

A specific antidote for arsenic is Unithiol.. It is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. For chronic poisoning, D-penicillamine is used.

Concluding the conversation about such a dangerous element, I would like to note that avoiding poisoning is much easier than treating its consequences. To do this, you must follow safety precautions, use purified water and proven products. You should not store products containing arsenic at home. And if you cannot do without it, then hide it in a place inaccessible to children.

Arsenic and its chemical compounds are widely used in various industries, as well as in agriculture.

Source: depositphotos.com

Elevated levels of arsenic can be observed in the following environments and products:

in surface and groundwater, where it penetrates from rocks;
in smoke generated by ore smelting, waste burning or coal combustion;
in seafood (fish, shellfish, crustaceans), which were caught in environmentally unfavorable areas of the world's oceans;
in chemical products (dyes, preservatives, antifungals, pesticides and herbicides).

Arsenic and its derivatives are also widely used in the manufacture of various electronic devices, semiconductor devices and glass.

Arsenic is one of the most well-known poisons, as it is popularized in detective literature.

Causes that can cause arsenic poisoning include:

violation of safety regulations;
attempted murder;
suicide;
consumption of food and water with a high content of arsenic salts.

Arsenic and its compounds enter the human body orally or inhalation, and can also be absorbed through the skin.

Once in the body, the poison binds to the protein part of the hemoglobin molecule and spreads through the bloodstream to all tissues and organs. It accumulates in the cells of the nervous system, lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys and liver, causing disruption of the biochemical reactions and cellular respiration occurring in them.

For an adult, the lethal dose of arsenic is 0.1-0.2 g.

When a significant dose of arsenic quickly enters the body, acute poisoning occurs. If the poison has been ingested for a long time, chronic poisoning develops. This type of intoxication is most often diagnosed in workers in the chemical, fur and leather industries, as well as in people involved in agriculture.

Symptoms of poisoning

Symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning occur 30 minutes after the poison enters the body through the mouth. With the inhalation (respiratory) route of poisoning, intoxication manifests itself almost instantly.

The first signs of acute arsenic poisoning:

general weakness;
spasmodic abdominal pain;
headache;
nausea and vomiting;
the appearance of a garlicky odor from the mouth;
frequent and profuse diarrhea, in which stool takes on the characteristic appearance of rice water;
increased thirst;
dry skin and mucous membranes, decreased skin turgor;
decreased diuresis;
tachycardia;
hypotension.

If the victim is not provided with immediate assistance, intoxication worsens, leading to severe damage to various organs and systems, which is accompanied by the following symptoms:

arrhythmia;
convulsions;
delirium followed by coma;
laryngospasm;
pulmonary edema, which leads to respiratory failure;
ulcerations of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by internal bleeding;
hemolysis of red blood cells;
icteric discoloration of the skin;
dark color of urine.

With severe hemolysis, the victim may develop acute renal failure.

The first signs of chronic arsenic poisoning appear 2–8 weeks after the start of its regular intake into the body. During this time, arsenic causes significant changes, primarily in nervous tissue. This leads to the development of encephalopathy and neuropathy, which causes severe pain in the limbs and impaired skin sensitivity (paresthesia). Damage to the heart muscle also develops, which causes pericarditis and myocarditis. Other manifestations of chronic arsenic poisoning may be: a toxic form of hepatitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, severe anemia.

Characteristic of chronic arsenic intoxication are changes in the nails and skin:

skin thickening and increased peeling;
hyperkeratosis;
hyperpigmentation or hyperemia of the skin in the scrotum, neck, temples and armpits;
formation of white transverse lines on the nail plates.

Arsenic and its salts are carcinogenic. Therefore, against the background of chronic poisoning, patients may develop malignant tumors of the lungs and skin over time.

Source: depositphotos.com

First aid for poisoning

In case of acute arsenic poisoning, first aid should be provided immediately; the first step should be to call an ambulance.

In case of inhalation poisoning, the victim should be removed from the accident area and provided with fresh air.

If arsenic gets inside, the stomach is washed with a 2% suspension of magnesium sulfate or warm water. This procedure should be performed several times to remove the maximum possible amount of toxic substances from the stomach. If the victim is unconscious or arsenic poisoning occurs in a young child, then it is permissible to rinse the stomach only with the help of a gastric tube; this procedure should be performed exclusively by medical workers.

When is medical help needed?

For any type of arsenic poisoning, treatment should be carried out by toxicologists. Victims are prescribed dithiol antidotes (Unithiol, lipoic acid). The dosage is determined by the doctor based on the severity of the poisoning, the weight and age of the patient, general health and other factors. To improve metabolic processes, vitamin therapy (Ascorbic acid, B vitamins) is indicated. If the functions of the cardiovascular system are impaired, they are corrected. Oxygen therapy is provided if necessary.

Treatment of inhalation arsenic poisoning includes local anti-inflammatory therapy and the mandatory use of dithiol antidotes.

For inflammatory processes in the conjunctiva and cornea, a 5% solution of Unithiol is instilled into the eyes.

Chronic arsenic poisoning is treated with the administration of D-penicillamine. Symptomatic therapy is also carried out, aimed at eliminating the symptoms of poisoning and removing the poison from the body as quickly as possible.

Possible consequences

Arsenic poisoning is severe, which is associated with massive damage to many organs and systems. The outcome may be the formation of chronic failure of the kidneys, liver, and lungs. Serious damage to nervous tissue often leads to disability in patients. In case of severe poisoning, death is possible.

Prevention

To prevent arsenic poisoning, you should:

carefully adhere to safety regulations in industries where arsenic or its compounds are used;
do not drink water from unverified sources;
Avoid storing any medications or products containing arsenic at home. If such a need nevertheless exists, such substances should be stored out of the reach of children and must be clearly marked “Poison” on the packaging.

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