Arsenic As Atomic Number: 33 Atomic Mass: 74.92 Half life: 9mins-80.3 days ______________________________________________________________________________ Sources: - Widely distributed in earth's crust - Widely used in may products, processes - Coal combustion, metal production, and waste incineration - Fish/shellfish (mostly organic) - Wood preservative - Drinking water Adverse Effects: - Organic arsenic is rarely problematic; inorganic arsenic is toxic - Acute: GI upset, neuropathy, muscle weakness, cardiac dysrythmia - Chronic: peripheral and central neuropathy, skin cancer, peripheral vascular disease, lung cancer, liver toxicity - Children less efficient at converting inorganic to organic forms - Crosses placenta, low in breast milk