Arsenic

RTECS #

CG0525000

CAS #

7440-38-2
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods

Updated

March 2019

Molecular Weight

74.92

Molecular Formula

Synonyms

Arsen (German,Polish)
Arsenic (ACGIH:OSHA)
Arsenic Black
Arsenic, elemental
Arsenic-75
Arsenicals
Colloidal arsenic
Grey arsenic
Inorganic arsenic
Metallic arsenic

Mutation Data and Reference

System Test	Route/Organism/Tissue	Dose	Reference
Cytogenetic Analysis	unreported route/human	4286 µg/kg	HUGEDQ 48,1,1979
Cytogenetic Analysis	oral/mouse	280 mg/kg/8W	MUREAV 113,293,1983
Cytogenetic Analysis	oral/human	0.211 mg/L/15Y	MUREAV 534,133,2003
Cytogenetic Analysis	lung/human	5 µmol/L	TOXID9 44,31,2005
Cytogenetic Analysis	lymphocyte/human	131.90 µg/L	MUTAEX 19,223,2004
DNA Damage	fibroblast/mouse	5 nmol/L/24H	TOXID9 44,237,2005
DNA Damage	lung/human	5 µmol/L	TOXID9 72,219,2003
DNA Damage	lymphocyte/human	5 µmol/L/1H	TOXID9 12,430,2008
micronucleus test	multiple/other fish	451.40 ppb/15D-continuous	MUTAEX 20,291,2005
sister chromatid exchange	oral/human	0.211 mg/L/15Y	MUREAV 534,133,2003

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
oral/rat	605 µg/kg (35W prior to copulation)	Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Pre- implantation mortality (e.g., reduction in number of implants per female; total number of implants per corpora lutea) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)	GISAAA 42(8),30,1977
oral/rat	580 µg/kg (30W prior to copulation/1-20D pregnant)	Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system	FATOAO 41,620,1978
oral/mouse	187 mg/kg (8-18D pregnant)	Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Hepatobiliary system	TOXID9 72,214,2003

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
implant/rabbit	lowest published toxic dose: 75 mg/kg	Tumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors Liver: Tumors	ZEKBAI 52,425,1942
oral/man	lowest published toxic dose: 76 mg/kg/12Y- intermittent	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Liver: Tumors Blood: Hemorrhage	RMCHAW 99,664,1971

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
In Vitro/Human, endothelium	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 7.5 µmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.	TIVIEQ 42,281,2017
In Vitro/npf	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 0.5 µmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Apoptosis in vitro	TXAPA9 256,44,2011
intraperitoneal/guinea pig	lowest published lethal dose: 10 mg/kg	Liver: Fatty liver degeneration Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes	CRSBAW 81,164,1918
intraperitoneal/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 46200 µg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea	GTPZAB 31(12),53,1987
intraperitoneal/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 1 mg/kg	Liver: Other changes Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Lipids including transport Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins	TOXID9 -,293,2008
intraperitoneal/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1000 mg/kg		VCVN5* -,87,1993
intraperitoneal/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 13390 µg/kg		TXCYAC 64,191,1990
oral/child	lowest published toxic dose: 4 mg/kg	Cardiac: EKG changes not diagnostic of above Blood: Changes in leukocyte (WBC) count Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Changes in: Metabolic acidosis	PECAE5 13,394,1997
oral/man	lowest published toxic dose: 7857 mg/kg/55Y	Gastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of esophagus Blood: Hemorrhage Skin: After systemic exposure: Dermatitis, other	CMAJAX 120,168,1979
oral/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 144 mg/kg		VCVN5* -,87,1993
oral/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 145 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea	GTPZAB 31(12),53,1987
oral/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 763 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea	GTPZAB 31(12),53,1987
oral/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 763 mg/kg		ENTOX* -,168,2005
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 5 mg/kg	Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes	TXCYAC 235,73,2007
subcutaneous/guinea pig	lowest published lethal dose: 300 mg/kg		ASBIAL 24,442,1938
subcutaneous/rabbit	lowest published lethal dose: 300 mg/kg		ASBIAL 24,442,1938
Tank with water/Daphnia	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 2850 µg/L/48H		TIVIEQ 31,125,1995

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
oral/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 280 mg/kg/4W- continuous	Immunological Including Allergic: Uncharacterized (multiple organ involvement)	TOXID9 72,376,2003
oral/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 0.35 mg/kg/5W- continuous	Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other	TOXID9 44,32,2005
oral/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 0.07 µg/kg/5W- continuous	Liver: Other changes Endocrine: Other changes Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins	TOXID9 -,293,2008
oral/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 0.7 µg/kg/5W- continuous	Liver: Other changes Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Lipids including transport Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins	TOXID9 -,293,2008
oral/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 18.2 mg/kg/13W- continuous	Vascular: Structural changes in vessels Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol) Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Lipids including transport	TOXID9 12,405,2008
oral/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 1783.6 mg/kg/26W- continuous	Vascular: Structural changes in vessels Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol) Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation	TOXID9 12,405,2008
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 1360 mg/kg/17D- intermittent	Gastrointestinal: Other changes Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Interstitial nephritis Blood: Changes in cell count (unspecified)	GTPZAB 31(12),53,1987

Reviews

Organization	Standard	Reference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.01 mg/m³	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-Confirmed human carcinogen	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Human Sufficient Evidence	IMEMDT 23,39,1980
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Animal Limited Evidence	IMSUDL 7,100,1987
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Human Inadequate Evidence	IMEMDT 2,48,1973
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Group 1	IMSUDL 7,100,1987
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Group 1	IMEMDT 100C,85,2012
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		AMIHAB 21,132,1960
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		85DHAX As,-,1977
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		JAVMA4 164,277,1974
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		CTOXAO 5,151,1972
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		ARPTDI 16,95,1976
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		KOTTAM 11,1300,1975
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FOREAE 7,313,1942
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		AQMOAC #73-19,1973
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		PTPAD4 1,189,1976
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		CLCHAU 19,361,1973
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		85CVA2 5,63,1970
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		PEXTAR 12,102,1969
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		JOCMA7 2,137,1960
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		BNYMAM 54,413,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		AMTODM 3,209,1977
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		EVHPAZ 19,179,1977
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		85CVA2 5,250,1970
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		CREOH* 42,93,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOLED5 128,69,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		EVHPAZ 110,883,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		EVHPAZ 110,767,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOLED5 127,63,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOLED5 134,39,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOLED5 134,3,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOLED5 145,1,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 567,109,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 589,111,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		REPTED 22,164,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		ENTOX* -,168,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOPADD 31,575,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOPADD 33,63,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOPADD 32(Suppl. 2),71,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 544,243,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 659,93,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 544,313,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		HTOPA* 1,701,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		HUTOX* -,247,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 681,93,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FCTOD7 46,813,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 674,3,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 674,31,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 674,73,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 667,82,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		BLREV* 3,71,1989
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		AEXHE* -,407,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		AEXHE* -,123,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		AEXHE* -,133,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		DERCL* 25,215,2007
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NEUCL* 15,711,1997
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NEUCL* 23,377,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NTAPM* -,617,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NTAPM* -,629,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NTAPM* -,689,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NTAPM* -,695,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NTAPM* -,711,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NTAPM* -,737,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUTAEX 23,191,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 705,165,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 705,130,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 705,172,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOLED5 192,45,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		REPTED 31,327,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 705,11,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUTAEX 26,51,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		REPTED 31,363,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 714,105,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 728,88,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 746,104,2012
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		REPTED 35,165,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		EMMUEG 49,9,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUTAEX 27,257,2012
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 746,113,2012
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		EMMUEG 54,480,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		EMMUEG 54,455,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TXAPA9 254,86,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		EMMUEG 54,500,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 759,27,2014
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		EMMUEG 55,171,2014
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		EMMUEG 55,278,2014
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 764-765,3,2014
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 764-765,36,2014
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 764-765,10,2014
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUTAEX 30,89,2014
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 764,72,2014
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FCTOD7 86,298,2015
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TXCYAC 313,3,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TXCYAC 313,15,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NETEEC 52,25,2015
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NETEEC 52,68,2015
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NETEEC 52,88,2015
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TIVIEQ 32,92,2016
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		REPTED 61,120,2016
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FCTOD7 107,20,2017
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FCTOD7 107,406,2017
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOLED5 272,8,2017
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		CCRIF* ,209,2017
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		RTOPDW 55,43,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		VETOX* ,411,2018

Standards and Regulations

Organization	Standard	Reference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-air	time-weighted average 0.5 mg/m³	DTLVS* 3,16,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypt	time-weighted average 0.2 mg/m³, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA	time-weighted average 0.05 mg/m³, Carcinogen, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM	time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m³, Carcinogen, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK	time-weighted average 0.01 mg(As)/m³, carc, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK	time-weighted average 0.01 mg/m³, carc, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLAND	time-weighted average 0.01 mg/m³, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARY	ceiling concentration 0.01 mg/m³, Skin, Carcinogen, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND	time-weighted average 0.01 mg(As)/m³, carc, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-INDIA	time-weighted average 0.2 mg/m³, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN	1 carc, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA	time-weighted average 0.2 mg/m³, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO	time-weighted average 0.2 mg(As)/m³, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND	time-weighted average 0.05 mg(As)/m³, carcinogen, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAY	time-weighted average 0.02 mg/m³, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU	time-weighted average 0.01 mg/m³, JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLAND	MAC(time-weighted average) 0.01 mg/m³, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN	time-weighted average 0.01 mg/m³, Carcinogen, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILAND	time-weighted average 0.5 mg/m³, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINES	time-weighted average 0.5 mg/m³, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEY	time-weighted average 0.5 mg/m³, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEY	time-weighted average 0.5 mg(As)/m³, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM	time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m³, carc, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)	8H time-weighted average 0.5 mg(As)/m³	CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)	8H time-weighted average 0.5 mg(As)/m³	CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)	8H time-weighted average 0.5 mg(As)/m³	CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-cancer hazard		CFRGBR 29,1910.1018,1987

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

Organization	Standard	Reference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO ARSENIC, INORGANIC-air	Carcinogen ceiling concentration 0.002 mg(As)/m³/15M	NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983	Hazard Code 07545; Number of Industries 19; Total Number of Facilities 1100; Number of Occupations 29; Total Number of Employees Exposed 27275; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 2128
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974	Hazard Code 07545; Number of Industries 8; Total Number of Facilities 328; Number of Occupations 18; Total Number of Employees Exposed 5929

Status in Federal Agencies

Organization	Reference
ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/2000/108021)
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Arsenic and compounds, as As except AsH3/As2O3, 7900
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Elements by ICP, 7300
NIOSH CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 14, 1976
NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens,2016:Known to be a human carcinogen
On EPA IRIS database
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #ID-105

Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health