Stronger effect / evidence
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Weaker effect / evidence

Arsenic

CAS: 7440-38-2

How can this chemical affect my health?

Acute (Short Term) Effects

Toxic To Humans & Animals, priority yellow
Toxic to Humans & Animals – Can be fatal on contact, ingestion or inhalation for humans and other mammals.
Irritates The Eyes, priority yellow
Irritates the Eyes – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the eye.
Irritates The Skin, priority gray
Irritates the Skin – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the skin.

Chronic (Long Term) Effects

Birth Defects, priority orange
Birth Defects – Can cause harm to the developing child including birth defects, low birth weight and biological or behavioral problems that appear as the child grows.
Cancer, priority red
Cancer – Can cause or increase the risk of cancer.
Pbt (persistent Bioaccumulative Toxicant), priority red
PBT (Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxicant) – Does not break down readily from natural processes, accumulates in organisms concentrating as it moves up the food chain, and is harmful in small quantities.
Endocrine Disruption, priority orange
Endocrine Disruption – Can interfere with hormone communication between cells which controls metabolism, development, growth, reproduction and behavior (the endocrine system).
Gene Damage, priority orange
Gene Damage – Can cause or increase the rate of mutations, which are changes in genetic material in cells.
Reproductive Harm, priority orange
Reproductive Harm – Can disrupt the male or female reproductive systems, changing sexual development, behavior or functions, decreasing fertility, or resulting in loss of the fetus during pregnancy.
Other Health Effects, priority orange
Other Health Effects – Can cause serious damage on contact or ingestion.
Brain/nervous System Harm, priority orange
Brain/Nervous System Harm – Can cause damage to the nervous system including the brain.

Inherent Hazards

Restricted List, priority gray
Restricted List – This chemical is on a list from an authoritative body recommending that its use be avoided.
Flammable, priority gray
Flammable – Easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly.
Reactive, priority gray
Reactive – May spontaneously ignite or explode on its own or in contact with water.

How does this chemical impact the environment?

Persistent, priority red
Persistent – Does not break down readily from natural processes.
Immediate Harm To Aquatic Ecosystems, priority orange
Immediate Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – A single exposure may result in severe biological harm or death to fish or other aquatic organisms.
Long-term Harm To Aquatic Ecosystems, priority orange
Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – Long term exposure may result in irreversible harm to fish or other aquatic organisms.
Bioaccumulative , priority gray
Bioaccumulative – Accumulates in organisms, concentrating as it moves up the food chain.

What safer alternatives are available for this chemical?

Find case studies related to substitutions for this chemical in SubsPORT, the substitution support portal.

How am I likely to be exposed to this chemical?

Toxic if swallowed
Ingestion
Toxic if inhaled
Inhalation

How can I protect myself from exposure to this chemical in the workplace?

respirator
Respirator