Arsenikk

Arsenikk is the Norwegian and Danish name for the chemical element arsenic (symbol As). It has atomic number 33 and is classified as a metalloid in group 15 of the periodic table. In nature it occurs primarily in minerals such as arsenopyrite (FeAsS), realgar (As4S4), and orpiment (As2S3). Arsenic also occurs in trace amounts in its elemental form.

The element exhibits multiple oxidation states, most commonly -3, +3 and +5. In environmental contexts, As(III) and As(V) are important, since inorganic arsenic compounds are toxic and can contaminate water.

Arsenic is a brittle, silvery-gray solid in its elemental form. Many of its compounds are colorless to colored solids or vapors. It has semiconducting properties and is used as a dopant in semiconductors, notably in silicon and gallium arsenide.

Industrial and historical uses include pigments such as Scheele’s green and Paris green, pesticides, and wood preservatives. In modern technology, arsenic trioxide and related compounds are used in electronics and optoelectronics, and arsenic-containing compounds have medical applications, including arsenic trioxide for certain cancers.

Health and safety considerations are central to arsenic handling. Inorganic arsenic compounds are highly toxic. Chronic exposure is linked to cancers of the skin, lungs, and bladder, among other health effects. Regulation focuses on limiting exposure through drinking water, food, and occupational safety, with remediation of contaminated sites as needed.

Arsenikk refers to the arsenic element in languages that use this spelling; in English, the element is named arsenic.