Overview

Arsenic is a brittle metalloid with a history of both industrial use and notoriety for toxicity in inorganic forms.

Properties

It forms multiple allotropes and oxidation states commonly +3 and +5 and produces toxic inorganic arsenic species.

Occurrence and Uses

Arsenic occurs in mineral ores and is used in some semiconductors, wood preservatives and historically in pesticides and alloys.

Isotopes and Safety

Stable isotope As 75 is natural; inorganic arsenic compounds are highly toxic and carcinogenic, requiring strict environmental and occupational controls.