How to prepare poison from arsenic. Properties of arsenic and poisoning by its compounds. Routes of entry into the body

Arsenic is one of the most famous poisons. In ancient times it was used both for killings and as a medicine. Today it can be found in the natural environment, in industrial products and in some by-products of human activity.

You can be poisoned by this mineral intentionally or by mistake or carelessness. Sometimes it washes out of the soil and enters rivers, increasing the risk of it ending up in food. Therefore, it is advisable to know all the signs of arsenic poisoning and first aid methods.

Nowadays, damage to the body by arsenic is observed less and less, as the scope of its application is narrowing. Nevertheless, such situations do exist. Most often, arsenic, which causes poisoning, enters the human body from:

• Untreated water. It can be washed out of the soil and found in ground or surface waters. If you drink from springs or streams in regions where there is a lot of arsenic in nature, you can get poisoned.
• Air. The combustion of certain chemical wastes or coal, or the smelting of ore, produces smoke containing arsenic.
• Food products. Most often these are mollusks, fish or crustaceans that live in polluted water.
• Pesticides. Arsenic is sometimes used in the production of chemicals designed to kill insects, fungi and other organisms that threaten crops.

In addition, you can become poisoned by arsenic while working in a plant that produces electronic devices, semiconductors, and glass products. But this rarely happens, since on most modern enterprises Safety regulations are strictly observed.

The main causes of arsenic poisoning:

• Eating foods containing toxic substances;
• Accidents at industrial enterprises or failure to comply with safety regulations;
• Attempted suicide and murder.

Children are usually more susceptible to the effects of arsenic. It also has a teratogenic effect. Therefore, it may disrupt the development of the unborn baby if a pregnant woman is poisoned by this substance.

Arsenic can enter the human body in three ways:

• By mouth when consuming contaminated food or water;
• Through the skin;
• Through the respiratory tract when inhaling toxic fumes or smoke.

After entering the human body, arsenic easily penetrates into the blood plasma and then into red blood cells. It combines with a special protein - globin and is distributed throughout the body, entering organs - the heart and lungs, liver, kidneys and spleen, affecting the nervous system and digestion. In this case, the poison disrupts the functioning of each cell, affecting the biochemical processes taking place in it.

Just 0.05–0.2 grams of the substance is a lethal dose for humans.

There is a distinction between acute and chronic poisoning. Acute disease develops if enough substances enter the body at the same time. a large number of poisonous substance. And chronic develops gradually, when arsenic enters the body in small portions, but over a long time. This happens if a person has to frequently come into contact with this substance as part of his job.

Arsenic is eliminated from the body very slowly. Two weeks after poisoning, it is still present in a person’s hair and nails; traces of the substance remain for a long time in bones and teeth. 90% of the toxic substance is eliminated through the kidneys, and the rest through the intestines.

Signs of acute and chronic poisoning have significant differences. In acute cases, an unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth and scratching in the throat are most often noted. These are the first symptoms.

Gradually, the picture will increase and after about an hour and a half, patients will experience:

• Disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, such as severe diarrhea and vomiting, abdominal pain and headaches. In this case, the feces are very liquid and resemble rice water.
• When breathing, you can smell garlic.
• Temperature increase.
• Disorders of the cardiovascular system, causing tachycardia and decreased blood pressure.
• Catarrhal symptoms such as hoarseness of voice, runny nose and difficulty breathing, conjunctivitis.
• Musculoskeletal disorders. Victims complain of muscle pain and ataxia, paresis, and muscle hypotension. The legs are usually more affected.
• Disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system - delirium, convulsions, coma.

In severe cases, patients may experience convulsive episodes, severe jaundice and renal failure.

Inhaling arsenic vapor or ingesting large amounts on an empty stomach leads to the rapid development of symptoms of poisoning. After about half an hour, all the signs appear. If treatment is not started in time, death is likely.

With chronic arsenic poisoning, symptoms appear and intensify gradually, so at first the patient may notice only a slight discomfort. Over time, he develops the following signs of poisoning:

• Increasing weakness;
• Hyperpigmentation and flaking of the skin;
• Formation of calluses on the palms and soles;
• Bleeding gums and deterioration of teeth;
• Anemia;
• Cough, bronchitis, laryngitis, etc.

Arsenic is a carcinogen, so poisoning with small doses of this chemical over a long period of time can cause cancer.

Long-term exposure to arsenic on the body provokes changes in appearance:

• Hyperpigmentation and redness of the eyelids, armpits, temples, neck, nipples and scrotum.
• The appearance of white stripes across the nail bed.

Is it possible to get poisoned by arsenic during dental treatment?

This is a fairly popular question that people usually ask before going to the dentist. You should know that modern methods Dental treatment completely eliminates this possibility. Previously, in order to kill the nerve, they actually used a paste containing arsenic. But today it is practically not used.

If you are unlucky and end up with a dentist who still uses arsenic to destroy the nerve cells in the tooth and thus numb it, there is no need to be afraid either. Arsenic paste is safe if it is applied correctly and removed in time.

If you take this medicine for more than two days, swelling and inflammation in the soft tissues and even bone necrosis may develop.

How is arsenic poisoning diagnosed?

It is not easy to determine that it is arsenic poisoning against the background of only an external examination and examination of complaints, since symptoms can vary greatly in different patients. This is why blood and urine tests are necessary. You can also examine the victim's nails and hair.

If you suspect arsenic poisoning, you should immediately call a doctor. At the same time, you can begin providing first aid, which includes:

• Cleansing the body of toxin residues. If arsenic has been swallowed, it is necessary to rinse the stomach with large volumes of plain clean water. The remaining substances are washed off from the skin with simple soap and a washcloth.
• Fight dehydration. Since poisoning provokes diarrhea and vomiting, it is necessary to replenish the fluid supply. Drinking frequently will help with this. It also helps remove toxins from the body.
• Taking enterosorbents. Their effectiveness in this situation is not very high, but you can try.

If the victim is unconscious, he should be placed on his side to facilitate breathing. If there are no signs of life, cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be performed.

How is arsenic poisoning treated?

The treatment regimen for arsenic poisoning may differ depending on the route of entry of the toxin into the body and symptoms. Most commonly used treatment methods:

• Oxygen inhalation in case of arsenic vapor poisoning;
• Infusion therapy is the administration of saline solution to maintain blood volume and blood pressure, as well as to cleanse the body.
• Administration of glucose-novocaine mixture for hemolysis;
• Maintaining the activity of the heart and blood vessels;
• Use of "Eufillin" for difficulty breathing;
• Carrying out hemodialysis.

Enough effective method treatment - intravenous or intramuscular administration of the arsenic antidote - Unithiol. For chronic poisoning, you can use D-penicillamine.

How to prevent arsenic poisoning

Any poisoning is better prevented than treated. To avoid exposure to arsenic, you should:

• Always wear protective clothing and a mask when working with this element.
• Do not burn old wood treated with arsenic.
• In regions with high levels of this toxic element in nature, drink bottled water and limit contact with soil.
• Do not use products containing arsenic at home. And if you can’t refuse them, store them in strictly designated places, out of reach of children, in their original packaging.

Compliance with all precautions will help minimize the risk of poisoning. And knowing the symptoms and signs of first aid will help you get out of any dangerous situation with minimal losses.

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 superficial 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;
• V chemical products(dyes, preservatives, antifungals, pesticides and herbicides).

Also, arsenic and its derivatives are 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 through oral or inhalation routes, and can also be absorbed through 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.

At 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 could be the formation chronic failure kidneys, liver, 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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Arsenic (Arsenicum) is a chemical element belonging to the group of semimetals. Designation in the periodic table is As. In its pure form, the substance has a gray color with a greenish tint and a fragile structure. Arsenic and its compounds are highly toxic to all mammals, including humans. This element received its Russian name for its field of application: with its help, rodents have been fought since ancient times, so the term is made up of two words - “mouse” and “poison”.

Arsenic compounds occur naturally:

1. The element is part of many rocks (arsenic pyrite, silver, lead, gold, copper ores, etc.).
2. Found in ponds and groundwater.
3. Found in small quantities in seafood.

Near mineral processing plants, arsenic may be present in the air in the form of arsine - H 3 As. This gas is very toxic and is classified as hazard class II.

Arsenic is found in many pesticides and dyes. It is used in electrical engineering to create semiconductors.

Previously, arsenic was widely used in dentistry, placing it under a temporary filling to kill the nerve.

Most dentists now use less toxic treatments, but some doctors still use unsafe arsenic paste.

Causes of arsenic poisoning

Toxic compounds enter the body in several ways:

• by mouth – when swallowing drugs containing poison;
• when inhaling air containing arsine;
• through the skin.

Arsenic poisoning in humans can be caused by a number of factors:

1. Unfavorable environmental situation: living near mining plants, ore processing plants, pesticide production plants, etc.
2. Industrial accidents.
3. Violations technological processes in production.
4. Picking mushrooms, fruits and berries in the technical area.
5. Failure to comply with safe work practices when working with arsene-containing substances.
6. Improper storage of rodent poison.
7. Low quality of dental services.
8. Consumption of water and seafood with high concentrations of arsenic.
9. Attempted suicide.
10. Attempted murder.

Most often, household arsenic poisoning is unintentional and occurs due to the consumption of poisoned products (mushrooms, water, seafood, etc.). Children are more susceptible to poison than adults.

Rodent pesticides left around the house often cause poisoning in children.

Signs of arsenic poisoning

Intoxication can be chronic or acute. In the first case, a person is exposed to small doses of poison for a long time. They may meet the maximum permissible concentrations, but over time they accumulate in the body and cause serious disorders. In the second case, a person is poisoned with arsenic after receiving a single high dose of the substance.

Symptoms of chronic intoxication

Poison ingested in small quantities can accumulate in the body for years. But already in the first month, chronic arsenic poisoning can be recognized by the following signs:

• whitish stripes on the nails;
• hyperpigmentation of the skin in the area of ​​the armpits, scrotum and neck;
• severe peeling of the skin and its thickening.

Chronic intoxication leads to the development of encephalopathy and other pathologies of the nervous system. Often with arsenic poisoning, diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, tracheitis, etc.), heart, and liver occur. Since arsenic compounds are carcinogens, their long-term exposure can provoke the appearance of tumors.

Symptoms of acute intoxication

With a significant dose, symptoms of arsenic poisoning appear half an hour after ingestion or inhalation.

External signs of poisoning:

• general weakness;
• smell of garlic from the mouth;
• the occurrence of pain in the head and stomach;
• nausea followed by vomiting and frequent diarrhea;
• dehydration: extreme thirst, dry mouth.

The victim's heart rate accelerates and blood pressure drops. Failure to provide assistance at this stage of intoxication leads to the following consequences:

1. Cardiac conductivity decreases and the pulse becomes irregular.
2. Convulsive muscle contractions occur.
3. Gastric bleeding begins.
4. Laryngospasm leads to pulmonary failure.
5. The victim falls into a coma.
6. The skin turns yellow (due to the destruction of red blood cells).
7. The urine becomes dark and kidney failure develops.

When 0.2 g of poison enters the body of an adult, symptoms develop very quickly. If you do not provide medical assistance to a person, he will die. For children, the lethal dose is 0.05 g.

The poison is absorbed into the blood especially quickly if taken on an empty stomach.

First aid for arsenic poisoning

If the intake of harmful substances occurs at work through the skin or respiratory tract, the victim should be immediately isolated from exposure to the harmful factor. He must be taken out from the scene of the accident into fresh air, having first called an ambulance.

If you suspect oral poisoning, you must first call an ambulance, then immediately begin gastric lavage (if the person has not lost consciousness). The following liquids can be used at home:

• Water;
• Saline solution (2 tsp/1 l of water);
• Suspension of magnesium sulfate (20 g/1 l of water);
• Ipeaquana syrup (1 tsp).

Lavage is carried out several times to remove as much poison as possible from the stomach. If the victim loses consciousness, the procedure should be stopped, turn the person on his side and wait for the ambulance team to arrive. Health workers should rinse the stomach of children and unconscious people using special equipment (probe).

First aid if poison gets on the skin is to thoroughly wash the skin with soap and running water. You can use a washcloth for this.

Even if the symptoms of poisoning are mild, an ambulance must be called.

Only a medical professional can assess the severity of intoxication. In addition, the victim’s condition may suddenly and dramatically worsen.

Treatment of arsenic poisoning

For treatment, the patient is hospitalized in the toxicology department of the hospital. They put in a drip with an antidote (antidote) or give an intramuscular injection. The following drugs are antidotes:

• Unithiol, Dimercaprol - for acute intoxication;
• D-penicillamine - for chronic poisoning.

In case of arsine poisoning, the patient is prescribed oxygen inhalation.

The following treatment methods are also used for arsenic poisoning:

1. IV with saline solution. Helps maintain the body's water balance and blood volume in the vessels.
2. Vitamin therapy. The intake of B-group vitamins and ascorbic acid into the patient’s body accelerates metabolism. As a result, the toxic substance is eliminated faster.
3. Maintaining the functions of the cardiovascular system.
4. Treatment of kidney failure.
5. Blood transfusion - in particularly serious cases.

Complications and consequences

Acute intoxication is severe; arsenic can circulate in the blood for several months. Even with timely medical care, complications arise: low hemoglobin levels, diseases of the respiratory system, liver. Renal failure often occurs, which can become chronic. Sometimes arsenic poisoning ends in disability, and in especially severe cases, in the death of the victim.

Prevention of arsenic poisoning

It is known that landfills with waste from metallurgical and mining industries increase the risk of arsenic poisoning for people living in nearby settlements. Therefore, first of all, the problem must be solved at the regional and production levels. To avoid intoxication and its consequences, a number of preventive measures should be followed.

At the federal and regional levels:

1. Conduct environmental monitoring and identify areas with high levels of poison in water and air.
2. Limit the production of seafood in hazardous areas.

In production:

• use effective gas treatment facilities, dispose of solid waste in closed landfills;
• monitor employee compliance with safety regulations;
• at enterprises where arsenic compounds are used, its content in the air of the working area should be regularly determined;
• spray fields with pesticides containing poison only by ground method. In this case, workers must use special clothing and a gas mask.

1. Store poison for mice and rats separately from food.
2. Pesticides must be hermetically sealed.
3. If there are small children in the house, arsenic should not be used to bait rodents! It is better to use alternative methods of rodent control.
4. You cannot collect mushrooms near industrial enterprises whose activities are related to ore processing, production of pesticides, dyes, leather products, etc.
5. For dental services, you should contact modern clinics.
6. Do not eat or drink in the presence of ill-wishers.

Compliance with preventive measures at the regional and production levels will help reduce the likelihood of chronic poisoning. Careful handling of poisons will prevent acute intoxication in everyday life.

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There are chemicals, the benefits and harms of which depend on the method of application and the dose used. Arsenic poisoning is considered severe, brings many complications, and requires mandatory medical care. The substance is widely used in many industries, dentistry, and in the production of fertilizers. Therefore, it is necessary to study the rules of first aid and be able to identify the symptoms of intoxication.

What is arsenic used for?

Arsenic is a chemical substance that is classified as a semimetal. It occurs in its natural form as a mineral, but chemical plants are able to reproduce it in required quantity. Many centuries ago, it was used by famous alchemists when melting gold bars. The powder is absolutely tasteless and dissolves in liquids. Many schoolchildren know what arsenic smells like: it has a pronounced hint of garlic.

In industry, the substance is used in the production of a number of products:

• compositions for dubbing natural leather;
• fireworks;
• some paints and varnishes;
• herbicides.

In dental practice, for many years in a row, arsenic has been used to remove nerve endings in teeth. If the dose is taken correctly, the substance is safe for humans and environment, helps get rid of dangerous rodents and insects.

Causes of intoxication

Arsenic poisoning of animals and people is often observed when the rules of caution are not observed. Contact occurs in several ways:

• orally;
• inhalation of powder;
• absorption by the epidermis.

The chemical is dangerous to store at home: the taste of arsenic is so neutral that it can easily be mistaken for starch or accidentally added to food. More common ways of contact with a dangerous trace element:

• Drinking contaminated water. It is washed out of rocks and enters drinking water wells, flowing streams.
• Improper use of herbicides, uncontrolled aerial spraying over populated areas.
• Inhalation of toxic fumes when disposing of materials containing arsenic particles.
• When working with semiconductors, soldering some electronic boards.

Arsenic poisoning can occur in humans through consumption of fish and other seafood caught in contaminated areas. Mollusks absorb large amounts of toxic substances and store them in soft tissues. Often patients are admitted to the hospital who deliberately took poison with the intention of committing suicide. Sometimes intoxication becomes a consequence of a violation of safety regulations at work.

A less common option is arsenic poisoning during dental treatment. A special paste based on it is placed into the open tooth and closed with a temporary filling. The substance promotes the death of the affected nerve in the pulp and protects against bacterial inflammation. In case of an overdose or damage to the cement, part of the poison gets onto the gums and into the stomach with saliva when swallowing.

The effect of arsenic on the body

The lethal dose of arsenic for humans is from 0.05 to 0.2 grams, depending on the weight, age and condition of the person’s gastrointestinal tract. When absorbed through the skin or stomach, the poison molecules are carried throughout the body and enter into chemical reactions with blood cells. It can accumulate in soft and fatty tissues, and lingers in the renal pelvis, liver, and heart. Upon contact with it, the nerve endings die, the processes of hematopoiesis and the formation of immune defense are disrupted.

Doctors distinguish two types of intoxication:

1. Acute injury when absorbing a large dose. Symptoms develop rapidly over several hours and are characterized by severe stomach pain, loss of consciousness, and eye damage.
2. Chronic arsenic poisoning from exposure to small doses over several weeks. The poison accumulates and slowly destroys tissue cells, manifesting itself for a long time in the form of mild malaise.

The last type is typical for people who constantly work with pesticides and chemicals. When it enters the bloodstream, the main impact falls on the kidneys, through which it is excreted naturally. The epithelium of the intestines and stomach, the respiratory system, and the brain suffer from intoxication, and the conduction of nerve impulses is disrupted. Read about mercury poisoning.

Symptoms of arsenic poisoning

Signs of arsenic poisoning depend on the type of intoxication. When a person begins to experience discomfort within 30–40 minutes after consuming the toxin by mouth or intensively inhaling it. Depending on the dosage, they can result in mild damage or lead to serious complications. You should call a doctor immediately if the following symptoms occur:

• severe pain in the temples or back of the head;
• vomit;
• girdle pain under the ribs, in the stomach;
• liquid stool;
• thirst.

Not all people know what arsenic looks like, but they should remember the characteristic sign of poisoning: when talking with the victim, the smell of garlic can be clearly heard from the mouth. A person is constantly thirsty. It is less pronounced with chronic damage, but when working with the substance you should pay attention to such features.

Symptoms of arsenic poisoning also depend on where the poison accumulates in the body:

• Digestive system. Burning in the larynx and esophagus, aching pain, nausea. If the substance corrodes the mucous membranes, bleeding occurs.
• Cardiovascular. Jumps in blood pressure, tachycardia, and arrhythmia are observed. The patient complains that the heart skips beats.
• Respiratory. There is a feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath and symptoms of oxygen starvation quickly develop. It is urgent to exclude pulmonary edema.
• Excretory. The toxic semimetal leads to necrosis of the tubules in the renal pelvis, resulting in fluid retention. There is a risk of kidney dysfunction.

The most dangerous is acute damage to the human nervous system. Against the background of intoxication, brain function is disrupted, signs of mental disorders and changes in behavior may be observed. When a large dose is taken, limb spasms quickly appear and the patient falls into a coma.

With prolonged contact, the harm of arsenic manifests itself gradually:

• the skin on the body becomes dry and peeling occurs;
• epidermis begins to grow on the feet or fingers;
• Pigment spots appear throughout the body.

One of the signs is the appearance of transverse grooves and grooves on the nails. When toxins accumulate in the hair cuticle, they become dull and fall out without visible reasons. A person may be admitted to the hospital with pericarditis or hepatitis, complaining of severe anemia. Only complex blood tests and the experience of a doctor help to make a correct diagnosis and suspect poisoning by a chemical substance.

First aid for arsenic poisoning

If a person accidentally takes the dissolved powder or inhales arsenic vapor, you should immediately call a doctor and take precautions: remove clothes contaminated with the substance, wash it off the skin with laundry soap. Other methods of providing assistance are performed as standard:

1. The victim should be placed on a comfortable surface, making sure that he does not choke on the vomit.
2. Give warm tea or sweet drink in small portions every 5 minutes.
3. In case of oral poisoning, help cleanse the stomach.
4. Give any sorbent from your home medicine cabinet.

If available, an arsenic antidote is administered - the drug Unithiol. The liquid antidote in the form of a solution quickly penetrates the blood, reacts with chemical molecules, and binds them into compounds that are safe for the body. After a few hours, they are excreted along with urine, without causing harm to the kidneys and liver. Neutralization is carried out 1 ampoule every 5–6 hours, lasting at least 2 days.

Treatment of poisoning

At mild degree poisoning, hospitalization is not required, and all rehabilitation measures can be carried out at home. If alarming signs of damage to the nervous system or lungs appear, it is necessary to take the person to the hospital. Further treatment of arsenic poisoning is best left to specialists.

If breathing is impaired for several days, the patient is transferred to artificial ventilation lungs, provide oxygen inhalations. To relieve acute intoxication, hemodialysis and complete cleansing of the blood from toxins is recommended, reducing the load on the internal organs.

Knowing how arsenic acts on a tooth, you need to carefully listen to how you feel after installing a temporary filling. If you have a slight metallic taste in your mouth, you should contact your dentist and have the dangerous insert removed. At home therapy is carried out as follows:

1. Magnesia solution 3 times a day.
2. Every 2-3 hours, a mixture of 1 egg white and 150 mg of water.
3. On the first day, take fats of animal origin, which cover the intestines with a film and prevent toxins from being absorbed into the epithelium.

In medicine, to improve the condition, a balanced diet with the addition of fiber, herbs, and vegetables is recommended. If you are poisoned by arsenic, you can drink alkaline water, tea with honey. Coffee, stimulants and carbonated drinks are excluded from the diet, and laxatives are not taken.

Possible consequences

Toxicology is actively studying the effects of poisons, but even an experienced doctor finds it difficult to predict what will happen if you eat arsenic. When constantly working with this dangerous substance, an irreversible change occurs in the tissue of the lungs and bronchi, and the structure of skin cells is disrupted. When accumulated in the brain, visual and hearing acuity disappears, and problems arise with coordination of movements. The substance is so toxic that it causes the development of cancer.

Prevention

If a dose of more than 0.2 grams is taken at the same time, death from arsenic is possible. Therefore, when working with a toxic substance, it is important to follow preventive measures:

• monitor serviceability ventilation system in the workshop;
• use protective equipment;
• Do not avoid routine medical examinations.

If arsenic is stored at home, it must be stored in a tight container that children cannot open. It should be stored away from food and personal belongings, and only work with it wearing a protective mask and gloves. Before working with a dentist, it is better to discuss the possibility of using modern drugs that do not contain arsenic.

Arsenic has been used by pharmacists for over 2,400 years as a poison and medicine. Arsenic is still used to treat a number of tropical diseases, such as sleeping sickness.

Typically, arsenic is a by-product formed during the processing of zinc, copper or lead ores. In addition, this substance is released during the combustion of coal and is found in herbicides and pesticides, which causes chronic industrial poisoning with this substance.

Average, daily dose arsenic that enters our body with food and water is 10 mcg.

Arsenic (mineral)

The absorption of arsenic is directly related to its dispersity, i.e. large particles of arsenic pass through the body with virtually no consequences. Once absorbed, arsenic accumulates in the kidneys, liver, lungs and heart muscle. Arsenic begins to accumulate in hair 2 weeks after the interaction begins, and can remain there for several years.

Arsenic has a certain chemical similarity to phosphorus, so traces of it can be found in teeth and bone tissue for a long time.

Arsenic compounds easily penetrate the placental barrier and affect the embryo.

The body tries to get rid of an overdose of arsenic by everyone possible ways– the substance is excreted in feces, urine, through the skin and lungs, and is deposited in falling hair.

Arsenic poisoning affects the functioning of all organs.

Effect on the cardiovascular system

The cardiovascular system reacts to arsenic instantly. Even small doses of this substance cause a vasodilator effect and increase capillary permeability, which can quickly lead to edema.

Problems with the cardiovascular system in the photo

Heart failure Arrhythmias Edema

You need to understand that edema is often hidden, which is why, for example, at the beginning of the last century, arsenic was presented as a tonic (when taken, “body weight gain” was observed).

Exposure to arsenic leads to circulatory disorders and, as a result, gangrene

By sweating, blood plasma accumulates in the internal organs and begins to penetrate into the pleural and abdominal cavities. Due to fluid loss, the blood thickens, arterial hypotension (low blood pressure), arrhythmias and heart failure develop.

If contact with arsenic occurs for a long time (at work, for example), then peripheral vessels are destroyed due to insufficiency of the vascular wall, which causes gangrene of the lower extremities to develop.

Acute arsenic poisoning causes cramping pain in the stomach, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), and gastroenteritis. The severity of these symptoms can vary, up to a state of shock. Sometimes poisoning is accompanied by vomiting blood.

Due to swelling of the intestinal mucosa, watery stools similar to rice water appear. Sometimes acute arsenic poisoning is mistakenly confused with cholera, since the discharge in the form of “rice water” is common symptom for these conditions.

Skin changes due to poisoning: hyperkeratosis of the palms

With chronic poisoning, persistent stomatitis often develops.

Due to the toxic effect on the small vessels of the kidneys, urine formation is inhibited. Urine analysis reveals protein, blood and columnar epithelium in it.

The skin changes during chronic arsenic poisoning as follows: the skin color becomes different due to constantly dilated blood vessels (the so-called “blood and milk”). The stratum corneum of the epidermis thickens, and hyperkeratosis of the skin of the feet and palms is formed. Long-term exposure to arsenic significantly increases the risk of skin cancer.

Acute arsenic poisoning can cause encephalopathy (impaired brain function), as well as “glove” and “sock” sensory disturbances (areas of loss of skin sensitivity).

Due to the destruction of brain vessels during chronic poisoning, hemorrhagic strokes and their consequences develop.

Arsenic destroys the cells that carry out hematopoietic processes in the bone marrow, which can cause anemia.

Toxic effects on the liver from arsenic poisoning range from mild hepatitis to the terminal stages of cirrhosis.

Signs of acute poisoning

Symptoms of arsenic poisoning appear within an hour when the substance enters the body through the mouth.

It is necessary to take into account the fact that arsenic binds quite well to the food eaten, which is why symptoms of acute poisoning may appear only after 10-12 hours (and in some cases even later).

Acute arsenic poisoning per os - symptoms in the photo

The first reactions begin from organs and tissues, depending on the sequence of interaction with arsenic:

• A burning sensation appears on the lips, a characteristic metallic taste occurs (a symptom of arsenic food poisoning);
• A “lump in the throat” appears, swallowing is impaired;
• The pain in the upper abdomen (stomach) gradually intensifies, becoming unbearable;
• Severe diarrhea begins, there may be uncontrollable vomiting with a green tint, and constant thirst.

Somewhat later, muscle pain and spasms appear, then convulsions (impaired blood circulation to the brain).

If adequate measures are not taken in time, the victim goes into a coma and dies.

Choking is one of the most dangerous symptoms and can be fatal.

Arsenic can also enter the body through inhalation of arsenic hydrogen. The difference is that the process begins a little faster, with a spasm of the larynx and bronchi. Inhalation of arsenic can end very quickly; due to the onset of pulmonary edema, death from suffocation occurs.

Arsenic is one of the most unpleasant poisons that can poison a person. It is for this reason that suicide attempts using arsenic are gradually fading away - people are not ready to die from diarrhea, vomiting, cramps and suffocation combined with severe abdominal pain.

Symptoms of chronic poisoning

The smell of garlic from the mouth is a sign of chronic poisoning

Patients constantly complain of weakness and swelling. Their breath constantly smells like garlic.

Garlic breath is a characteristic symptom of chronic arsenic poisoning.

Such patients constantly feel a runny nose, watery eyes, and sore throat.

Mi lines - transverse stripes on the nails

The appetite is impaired, constant mild nausea and digestive disorders are characteristic.

After 6 weeks of interaction with arsenic, characteristic transverse stripes appear on the nails - the so-called. Mi lines. Using these lines, the dermatologist can determine the approximate date of the first interaction with the toxic substance. Jaundice gradually increases - the color of the sclera, mucous membranes, and skin changes. Pain appears in the right hypochondrium.

First aid for acute form

We immediately call an ambulance and induce vomiting, first using the restaurant method, then through a tube. In the case where arsenic enters the body through food, toxic effects can be significantly reduced in this way.

As a probe, you can use a regular heating pad and a suitable rubber tube (may be included with the heating pad). If you have “free legs”, send them for a mug of Esmarch, Unithiol (if there is no Unithiol, we buy magnesium oxide) and sorbents (activated carbon in powder form) to the pharmacy.

First aid for acute poisoning (photo)

Siphon enema Activated carbon Unithiol Gastric lavage Esmarch's irrigator

Unithiol is an antidote used for poisoning with arsenic, mercury, bismuth and chromium. The sooner the stomach is washed with Unithiol solution, the lower the risk of patient mortality.

A solution for gastric lavage is prepared at the rate of 15 ml of 5% Unithiol per liter of water.

We use magnesium oxide in the absence of Unithiol - 20 g per liter.

After washing the stomach with one of the above remedies, we wait for the ambulance. If for some reason it is delayed, after 20 minutes we begin to rinse the stomach with the suspension activated carbon(15g per liter). At the same time, you can give a saline-based laxative, and siphon enemas are done.

After hospitalization, the victim continues to be given Unithiol for a week, fighting dehydration and complications from the body. internal organs and nervous system.

To reduce abdominal pain, the patient may be given drugs (morphine), promedol, or a novocaine blockade.

With timely provision of pre-medical and medical care, acute arsenic poisoning can be defeated without significant damage to internal organs, which helps to avoid complications in the future. Do not leave the victim alone, rinse the stomach and be sure to understand the reasons why arsenic ended up in your home.

Video: first aid for arsenic poisoning