Arsenic-based chemotherapy drugs, such as arsenic trioxide, are already in use for some cancers. This cell-altering ability may be useful in cancer treatment, as some studies have shown it can send the disease into remission and help thin the blood. This impairs the ability of the cell to generate energy and communicate with other cells. They are more likely to react with the cells in the body, displace certain elements from the cell, and change the cell’s function.įor example, cells use phosphate for energy generation and signaling, but one form of arsenic, known as arsenate, can imitate and replace the phosphate in the cell. Inorganic arsenic compounds are more harmful than organic ones. Organic forms of arsenic also contain carbon, but inorganic forms do not. It can be found combined with other elements in different chemical compounds. Natural conditions can also lead to a higher concentration. This could be a result of human activity, such as metal mining or the use of pesticides. The concentration of arsenic may be higher in certain geographical regions. A metalloid is a substance that is not a metal but shares many qualities with metals. Minuscule quantities of arsenic occur in all rock, air, water, and soil. pesticides.Share on Pinterest The effects of arsenic are dangerous, but overexposure to it is very rare.Īrsenic is a naturally occurring, metalloid component of the Earth’s crust. In popular usage toxicant more commonly (though inaccurately) refers to man-made (synthetic) toxic substances e.g. All toxins are toxicants, but not all toxicants are toxins. A toxin is a toxicant produced by a living organism (generally metabolic products that have evolved as defense mechanisms).

Note: A toxicant is the umbrella term for any toxic substance.

Toxicology Resources: Toxicology and toxinology resources on the web.

Toxicological Conundrums: Toxicology emergency management in clinical context.

Antivenoms: Chemical management of toxins and envenoming.Toxins: Assessment and management of envenoming (Toxinology).Antidotes – Chemical management for ingested drugs, toxicants and toxins.Drugs and Synthetic Toxicants: Assessment and management of poisoning.Toxicology Basics: Principles of RRSIDEAD in toxicology and toxinology.The Toxicology Library contains toxicology tutorials clinical conundrums analysis of drugs, antidotes, envenomings applied clinical context of basic pharmacology and physiology.

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