Carbarsone

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

RECOMMENDED RESPIRATOR: Where the neat test chemical is weighed and diluted, wear a NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with an organic vapor/acid gas cartridge (specific for organic vapors, HCl, acid gas and SO2) with a dust/mist filter. (NTP, 1992)

Hypovolemia from capillary leakage (third-spacing of fluids) is a common, serious, early effect. Muscle cramps, facial edema, bronchitis, dyspnea, chest pain, dehydration, intense thirst, and fluid-electrolyte disturbances are also common following significant exposures. A garlic-like odor of the breath and feces may also occur. After absorption, arsenic may cause multi-organ failure by inhibiting sulfhydryl-containing enzymes. Encephalopathy, with headache, lethargy, mental confusion, hallucinations, emotional lability, memory loss and delirium may occur; seizures, stupor, convulsions, coma, and death may follow within 24 hours of a severe acute exposure. Dysrhythmias (particularly QTc prolongation and torsade de pointes), cardiomyopathy, ARDS, hepatitis, rhabdomyolysis, hemolysis, and renal failure may develop over several days. The sequence of chronic poisoning involves hyperpigmentation, and eczematoid and allergic dermatitis. muscle fasciculations; gross tremors; ataxia; incoordination; and mental confusion. Muscular weakness, limb tenderness and difficulty walking may follow. The final phase consists of peripheral sensory neuropathy of the hands and feet. That may be associated with a motor neuropathy as well .

Arsenic and its metabolites disrupt ATP production through several mechanisms. At the level of the citric acid cycle, arsenic inhibits pyruvate dehydrogenase and by competing with phosphate it uncouples oxidative phosphorylation, thus inhibiting energy-linked reduction of NAD+, mitochondrial respiration, and ATP synthesis. Hydrogen peroxide production is also increased, which might form reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. Arsenic's carcinogenicity is influenced by the arsenical binding of tubulin, which results in aneuploidy, polyploidy and mitotic arrests. The binding of other arsenic protein targets may also cause altered DNA repair enzyme activity, altered DNA methylation patterns and cell proliferation. (T1, A17)

Initial signs and symptoms of arsenic ingestion include burning lips, throat constriction and dysphagia, followed by excruciating abdominal pain, hemorrhagic gastritis, gastroenteritis, severe nausea, projectile voting, profuse "rice water-like" diarrhea, with hypovolemia that may result in hypotension and an irregular pulse. The sequence of chronic poisoning involves weakness, anorexia, hepatomegaly, jaundice, and gastrointestinal complaints, followed by conjunctivitis, irritation of the throat and respiratory tract. ther effects of chronic exposure include conjunctivitis with irritation and lacrimation; hair, skin and nail changes; hyperkeratosis of feet and hands; and melanosis, with pigment spots in corneal and conjunctival epithelium. Peripheral nervous system symptoms may include numbness, burning, and tingling of the hands and feet; pain; paresthesias; tenderness .