Arsenic poisoning
Arsenic and its chemical compounds are widely used in various industries, as well as in agriculture.
Source: depositphotos.com
Increased arsenic content can be observed in the following media and products:
- in surface and ground waters, where it penetrates from rocks;
- in smoke from ore smelting, waste incineration or coal combustion;
- in seafood (fish, molluscs, crustaceans), which were caught in ecologically unfavorable areas of the world ocean;
- in chemical products (dyes, preservatives, antifungal agents, pesticides and herbicides).
Also, arsenic and its derivatives are widely used in the manufacture of various electronic devices, semiconductor devices and glass.
Arsenic is one of the most famous poisons, as it is popularized by detective literature.
How does arsenic poisoning occur?
Causes that can cause arsenic poisoning include:
- violation of safety rules;
- attempted murder;
- suicide;
- Eating food and water high in arsenic salts.
Arsenic and its compounds enter the human body by oral or inhalation, and can also be absorbed through the skin.
Once in the body, the poison binds to the protein part of the hemoglobin molecule and is carried with the blood stream to all tissues and organs. It accumulates in the cells of the nervous system, lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys and liver, causing disruption of the biochemical reactions and cellular respiration occurring in them.
For an adult, the lethal dose of arsenic is 0.1-0.2 g.
With a significant dose of arsenic, which quickly entered the body, acute poisoning occurs. If the poison has been injected for a long time, chronic poisoning develops. This type of intoxication is most often diagnosed in workers in the chemical, fur and leather industries, as well as in people employed in agriculture.
Poisoning symptoms
Symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning occur 30 minutes after the poison enters the body through the mouth. With the inhalation (respiratory) route of poisoning, intoxication manifests itself almost instantly.
The first signs of acute arsenic poisoning:
- general weakness;
- abdominal pain of a spastic nature;
- headache;
- nausea and vomiting;
- the appearance of a garlic smell from the mouth;
- frequent and profuse diarrhea, in which the feces take on the characteristic form of rice water;
- increased thirst;
- dry skin and mucous membranes, decreased skin turgor;
- decreased urine output;
- tachycardia;
- hypotension.
If the victim is not provided with urgent assistance, intoxication is aggravated, leading to severe damage to various organs and systems, which is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- arrhythmia;
- convulsions;
- delirium, alternating with a coma;
- laryngospasm;
- pulmonary edema that leads to respiratory failure;
- ulceration of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by internal bleeding;
- hemolysis of erythrocytes;
- icteric staining of the skin;
- dark urine.
With severe hemolysis, the victim may develop acute renal failure.
The first signs of chronic arsenic poisoning appear after 2-8 weeks from the beginning of its regular intake into the body. During this time, arsenic causes significant changes, primarily in the nervous tissue. This leads to the development of encephalopathy and neuropathy, against the background of which there are severe pains in the extremities, disorders of skin sensitivity (paresthesia). Damage to the heart muscle also develops, which causes pericarditis and myocarditis. Other manifestations of chronic arsenic poisoning can be: toxic form of hepatitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, severe anemia.
Changes in nails and skin are characteristic of chronic intoxication with arsenic:
- thickening of the skin and its increased peeling;
- hyperkeratosis;
- hyperpigmentation or hyperemia of the skin in the scrotum, neck, temples and armpits;
- the formation of white transverse lines on the nail plates.
Arsenic and its salts are carcinogenic. Therefore, against the background of chronic poisoning, patients with time may develop malignant tumors of the lungs and skin.
Source: depositphotos.com
First aid for poisoning
In case of acute arsenic poisoning, first aid should be started immediately, its first stage should be to call an ambulance team.
In case of inhalation poisoning, the victim should be removed from the accident zone and provided with fresh air.
In case of ingestion of arsenic, the stomach is washed with 2% suspension of magnesia sulfate or warm water. This procedure should be performed several times in order to remove the maximum possible amount of toxic substance from the stomach. If the victim is unconscious or arsenic poisoning occurs in a young child, then it is permissible to flush the stomach only with a gastric tube, this procedure should be performed exclusively by medical professionals.
When is medical attention needed?
For any type of arsenic poisoning, treatment should be carried out by toxicologists. The victims are prescribed the introduction of dithiol antidotes (Unithiol, lipoic acid). The dosage is determined by the physician based on the severity of the poisoning, the patient's weight and age, general health and other factors. To improve metabolic processes, vitamin therapy is shown (Ascorbic acid, B vitamins). In case of violations of the functions of the cardiovascular system, their correction is carried out. Oxygen therapy is carried out if necessary.
Treatment for inhaled arsenic poisoning includes topical anti-inflammatory therapy and the mandatory use of dithiol antidotes.
In case of inflammatory processes in the conjunctiva and cornea, 5% Unithiol solution is instilled into the eyes.
Chronic arsenic poisoning is treated with D-penicillamine. Symptomatic therapy is also carried out, aimed at eliminating the symptoms of poisoning and the speedy elimination of the poison from the body.
Possible consequences
Arsenic poisoning is difficult, which is associated with massive damage to many organs and systems. The outcome may be the formation of chronic failure of the kidneys, liver, lungs. Serious damage to the nervous tissue often leads to the disability of patients. In case of severe poisoning, death is possible.
Prevention
To prevent arsenic poisoning, you should:
- carefully adhere to safety rules in industries where arsenic or its compounds are used;
- do not drink water from unverified sources;
- refuse to store at home any drugs and products containing arsenic. If, nevertheless, there is such a need, such substances should be stored out of the reach of children and with the obligatory bright marking "Poison" on the packaging.
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Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
