Arsenicbased

Arsenic-based compounds are chemical substances that contain arsenic, a metalloid element. Arsenic forms a wide range of inorganic and organic compounds in several oxidation states, most commonly -3, +3, and +5. Inorganic arsenic compounds include arsenides, arsenites, and arsenates; organoarsenicals are organic derivatives of arsenic. Arsenic occurs naturally in minerals such as orpiment and realgar and enters the environment through weathering of arsenic-containing rocks and from mining waste. It can also contaminate groundwater in certain regions, creating long-term health risks.

Applications of arsenic-based materials span electronics, optics, and medicine. Semiconductors based on arsenic-containing compounds, such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) and related alloys, are used in high-speed electronics, LEDs, and photodetectors. Arsenic trioxide is used medically under strict supervision to treat certain leukemias and remains of interest in cancer research; historically it was used in other medicinal and industrial contexts, though many of these uses are now restricted due to toxicity. Organoarsenicals have been used in agriculture and chemical synthesis, but regulatory measures limit their use today.

Health and safety: inorganic arsenic compounds are highly toxic and classified as carcinogenic to humans by major health organizations. Chronic exposure is linked to cancers of the skin, lungs, and bladder, among other effects; acute exposure can cause severe gastrointestinal and neurological damage. Environmental management focuses on reducing exposure through water treatment, soil remediation, and monitoring of arsenic sources. Public health efforts emphasize prevention, regulation, and remediation of contaminated sites to minimize risk.