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Arsenic - Incident Management

Key Points

Fire

  • Non combustible under normal conditions
  • Emits toxic arsenic fumes and gaseous arsine upon decomposition
  • In the event of a fire involving arsenic, use fine water spray and liquid-tight protective clothing with breathing apparatus

Health

  • Toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption
  • Corrosive
  • Secondary contamination may occur
  • Inhalation may cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract and cause cough, sore throat, breathlessness, wheeze, pulmonary oedema and respiratory failure
  • Ingestion causes abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, hypovolaemic shock and cardiovascular collapse
  • Arsenic is highly irritant and corrosive to the eye causing pain, lacrimation, conjunctivitis, photophobia and corneal damage

Environment

  • Dangerous for the environment
  • Inform Environment Agency of substantial release incidents

Frequently Asked Questions       Hazard Identification

Prepared by J D Pritchard
CHAPD HQ, HPA
2008
Version 3

This document will be reviewed not later than 3 years, or sooner if substantive evidence becomes available.