Arseniccontaining

Arsenic-containing describes chemical substances that include the element arsenic (As) in their composition. The term covers inorganic arsenic species, such as arsenites and arsenates, as well as a broad range of organoarsenicals, minerals, and alloys in which arsenic is a constituent.

Inorganic arsenic compounds are usually more toxic than many organoarsenicals. Common oxidation states in natural and industrial contexts include arsenite (As3+) and arsenate (As5+). Organoarsenicals include methyl- and dimethylarsenicals and various organoarsenics used in agriculture, medicine, or industry; toxicity varies widely, with some compounds having significant toxic effects and others exhibiting comparatively lower toxicity.

Arsenic occurs in minerals such as realgar (As4S4), orpiment (As2S3), and arsenopyrite (FeAsS). It is released into soils and water through weathering, mining, and industrial activity. Human-made sources of arsenic-containing materials include pesticides, wood preservatives, electronics manufacturing, and combustion processes, all of which can contribute to environmental reservoirs of arsenic.

People are exposed primarily via drinking water and contaminated foods, particularly rice and certain aquatic products where arsenic forms vary. Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic is associated with skin lesions, cardiovascular and neurological effects, and an increased risk of various cancers. Regulatory limits for drinking water commonly target around 10 micrograms per liter (ppb), with monitoring and risk management to reduce exposure.

Analytical detection of arsenic species requires methods that distinguish oxidation states and organic versus inorganic forms, often using chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Remediation strategies for arsenic-contaminated water include adsorption, ion exchange, coagulation-precipitation, and membrane processes such as reverse osmosis.