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ARSENICALS (INORGANIC)

Examples of Commercial Products and Generic Names

Lead Arsenate
Paris Green
Sodium Arsenite

Pharmacological Action or Site of Toxicity

Blocking of the functional thiol groups, especially on capillaries, epidermis and nervous system.

Routes of Absorption

Ingestion
Inhalation

WHO Hazard Classification

Class I

Symptoms

In acute arsenic poisoning a garlic odor to breath and feces helps to identify the responsible toxicant. Arsenic inhalation causes Haemoglobin leading to acute tuber necrosis followed by anuria, Other symptoms are Chills, weakness cramps, vomiting and prostration.

After thirty minutes to many hours profuse vomiting & painful diarrhea which may become bloody later. Colicky pains in esophagus, stomach and bowel. Dehydration, thirst, muscular cramps, cyanosis, feeble pulse and cold extremities. Headache, Dizziness, Vertigo, Delirium or Stupor, Skin eruption, Convulsions.

Three terminal signs.

Coma
General paralysis
Death

INGESTION Chief initial symptoms are those of a violent gastroenteritis, burning esophageal pain, vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea containing much mucous, later collapse, shock, market weakness, Death generally due to circulatory failure.
INHALATION may cause pulmonary edema, restlessness, dyspensia cyanosis and foamy sputum.
Arseniclas (Inorganic)

Treatment

  1. For ingestion, gastric lavage followed by Instillation of activated charcoal slurry (40 gm charcoal).
  2. For skin contact wash with soap and water. Acute symptoms will not develop except for sodium arsenite
  3. Saline catharitc (15 to 30 gm sodium sulfate).
  4. BAL in a 10% solution in oil - intra muscularly - (see schedule) or D-Pencillamine 0.5 g q6 h given 30 to 60 minutes before meals and at bedtimes.
  5. Check blood pressure and treat shock.
  6. Isotonic saline for Intravenous use to contract dehydration. Electrolyte infusion might be necessary to substitute losses due to diarrhea.
  7. Morphine may be needed for abdominal pain.
BAL SCHEDULE
SEVERE POISONINGMILD POISONING
Day 1 & 23 mg/kg q4h (6lnjectins)2.5 mg/kg q6h (4lnjections)
Day23 mg/kg q4h (4lnjectins)2.5 mg/kg q12h (2lnjections)
Day 4-103 mg/kg q12h (2 Injections)2.5 mg/kg/day
BAL: British Anti Lewisite Compound. (2.3 Dimercapto-1-propanol or dimercaprol)

Lab Tests

No simple test. Only complex laboratory procedures. Save initial stomach contents and urine for arsenic analysis. Urine may show red blood cells, albumin and casts. After arsenic inhalation urine shows Hemoglobin reinsch Test.

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Pakistan Agricultural Pesticides Association

909-910, Park Avenue, P.E.C.H.S.,
Shahrah-e-Faisal,
Karachi-75400

Tel:454 1562 Fax:454 6131