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**Arsenic - AS**

Arsenic's symbol is 'As' and the number is 33 on the periodic table. Arsenic is found naturally in the environment as one of the elements in the earth's crust. Arsenic is mixed with other elements like oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur to form inorganic arsenic compounds. Exposure to higher-than-average levels of arsenic happens mainly in workplaces, near or in hazardous waste sites, and places with high levels naturally occurring in soil, rocks, and water. Exposure to high levels of arsenic can cause death. Exposure to arsenic at low levels for quite long periods of time can cause the skin to discolour and small corns or warts can start to appear. media type="youtube" key="PezO_Vmqhgg" width="370" height="314" align="right"

This element is exceptionally poisonous, and it has many allotropic types including several metalloid black and gray forms and a non metallic yellow sort. It is changed to gas with no liquid transitional state.
 * Dangers of arsenic**

**Is arsenic still used?** Suprisingly arsenic is still used throughout the world. As recent as the 20th century, it was still used as insecticides for fruit trees. It apparently causes brain damage sometimes, to people working with sprayers.In the 19th century it was used as a coloring agent for lollies and other confectionary food.Now there is a less toxic organ form of arsenic named monosodium methyl arsenate (MSMA). It is an organic, not as toxic type of arsenic, and replaces lead arsenate in agriculture. The cost of arsenic is 3.20 a gram USD

** Below, Arsenic minerals: **




 * More facts about arsenic**

Arsenic is found in the natural environment in the Earth’s crust and in small quantities in rock, soil, water and air. About one third of the arsenic in the atmosphere comes from natural sources, like volcanoes, and the rest comes from man-made sources. with natural geological contamination, high levels of arsenic can be found in water that has come from usually deep drilled wells.

mining, smelting and coal-fired power plants all contribute to the presence of arsenic in air, water and soil.

Arsenic occurs in different forms and some is moved between different parts of the environment. Arsenic in weathered rock or soil can be picked up and carried by wind and water. Many arsenic compounds stick to soil and only move short distances when water drains down through the soil. If arsenic is released into the atmosphere by industrial processes or volcanic activity, it sticks to particles that are dispersed by the wind and fall back to the ground. Microbes in soil also release matter containing arsenic into the atmosphere. These are then changed to other arsenic compounds that settle back onto the ground.


 * Chemical properties of arsenic**

Arsenic has eight isotopes, and as it says before, its atomic number is 33. Arsenic's melting point is 814 *C (36 Atm) and the boiling point is 615 *C (sublimination). Arsenic's vanderwaals radius is 0.139 nm, and it was discovered by the ancients (A long time ago!)

http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/as.html

** Some of the symptoms of arsenic poisoning: a bdominal / bowel pain ,tenderness and pressure on the body, vomiting / excess saliva ,dry or tight throat / thirst or weakness, purplish / red skin, congestive heart failure , cold or clammy sweats, hoarse voice. **