Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content

Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS)

Arsenic

RTECS #

CG0525000

CAS #

7440-38-2

Updated

December 2013

Molecular Weight

74.92

Molecular Formula

As

Synonyms

Arsen (German,Polish)
Arsenic (ACGIH:OSHA)
Arsenic Black
Arsenic, elemental
Arsenic-75
Arsenicals
Colloidal arsenic
Grey arsenic
Inorganic arsenic
Metallic arsenic

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
Cytogenetic Analysisunreported route/human4286 µg/kgHUGEDQ 48,1,1979
Cytogenetic Analysisoral/mouse280 mg/kg/8WMUREAV 113,293,1983
Cytogenetic Analysisoral/human0.211 mg/L/15YMUREAV 534,133,2003
Cytogenetic Analysislung/human5 µmol/LTOXID9 44,31,2005
Cytogenetic Analysislymphocyte/human131.90 µg/LMUTAEX 19,223,2004
DNA Damagefibroblast/mouse5 nmol/L/24HTOXID9 44,237,2005
DNA Damagelung/human5 µmol/LTOXID9 72,219,2003
DNA Damagelymphocyte/human5 µmol/L/1HTOXID9 12,430,2008
micronucleus testmultiple/other fish451.40 ppb/15D-continuousMUTAEX 20,291,2005
sister chromatid exchangeoral/human0.211 mg/L/15YMUREAV 534,133,2003

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/rat 605 µg/kg (35W prior to copulation)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Pre- implantation mortality (e.g., reduction in number of implants per female; total number of implants per corpora lutea)

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)		GISAAA 42(8),30,1977
oral/rat 580 µg/kg (30W prior to copulation/1-20D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal systemFATOAO 41,620,1978
oral/mouse 187 mg/kg (8-18D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Hepatobiliary systemTOXID9 72,214,2003

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
implant/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 75 mg/kgTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors

Liver: Tumors		ZEKBAI 52,425,1942
oral/man lowest published toxic dose: 76 mg/kg/12Y- intermittentTumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Liver: Tumors

Blood: Hemorrhage		RMCHAW 99,664,1971

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
intraperitoneal/guinea pig lowest published lethal dose: 10 mg/kgLiver: Fatty liver degeneration

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes		CRSBAW 81,164,1918
intraperitoneal/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 46200 µg/kgBehavioral: Ataxia

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea		GTPZAB 31(12),53,1987
intraperitoneal/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1000 mg/kgVCVN5* -,87,1993
intraperitoneal/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 1 mg/kgLiver: Other changes

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Lipids including transport

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins		TOXID9 -,293,2008
intraperitoneal/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 13390 µg/kgTXCYAC 64,191,1990
oral/child lowest published toxic dose: 4 mg/kgCardiac: EKG changes not diagnostic of above

Blood: Changes in leukocyte (WBC) count

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Changes in: Metabolic acidosis		PECAE5 13,394,1997
oral/man lowest published toxic dose: 7857 mg/kg/55YGastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of esophagus

Blood: Hemorrhage

Skin: After systemic exposure: Dermatitis, other		CMAJAX 120,168,1979
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 144 mg/kgVCVN5* -,87,1993
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 145 mg/kgBehavioral: Ataxia

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea		GTPZAB 31(12),53,1987
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 763 mg/kgBehavioral: Ataxia

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea		GTPZAB 31(12),53,1987
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 763 mg/kgENTOX* -,168,2005
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 5 mg/kgBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changesTXCYAC 235,73,2007
subcutaneous/guinea pig lowest published lethal dose: 300 mg/kgASBIAL 24,442,1938
subcutaneous/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 300 mg/kgASBIAL 24,442,1938
Tank with water/Daphnia lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 2850 µg/L/48HTIVIEQ 31,125,1995

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 280 mg/kg/4W- continuousImmunological Including Allergic: Uncharacterized (multiple organ involvement)TOXID9 72,376,2003
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 0.35 mg/kg/5W- continuousBiochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): OtherTOXID9 44,32,2005
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 0.07 µg/kg/5W- continuousLiver: Other changes

Endocrine: Other changes

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins		TOXID9 -,293,2008
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 0.7 µg/kg/5W- continuousLiver: Other changes

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Lipids including transport

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins		TOXID9 -,293,2008
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 18.2 mg/kg/13W- continuousVascular: Structural changes in vessels

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Lipids including transport		TOXID9 12,405,2008
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 1783.6 mg/kg/26W- continuousVascular: Structural changes in vessels

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation		TOXID9 12,405,2008
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1360 mg/kg/17D- intermittentGastrointestinal: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Interstitial nephritis

Blood: Changes in cell count (unspecified)		GTPZAB 31(12),53,1987

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.01 mg/m3DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-Confirmed human carcinogenDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human Sufficient EvidenceIMEMDT 23,39,1980
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Animal Limited EvidenceIMSUDL 7,100,1987
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 2,48,1973
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Group 1IMSUDL 7,100,1987
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWEVHPAZ 110,883,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWEVHPAZ 110,767,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWJAVMA4 164,277,1974
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCTOXAO 5,151,1972
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWARPTDI 16,95,1976
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWKOTTAM 11,1300,1975
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWFOREAE 7,313,1942
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAQMOAC #73-19,1973
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWPTPAD4 1,189,1976
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCLCHAU 19,361,1973
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW85CVA2 5,63,1970
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWPEXTAR 12,102,1969
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWJOCMA7 2,137,1960
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWBNYMAM 54,413,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAMTODM 3,209,1977
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWEVHPAZ 19,179,1977
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 127,63,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 134,39,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 134,3,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 589,111,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW85CVA2 5,250,1970
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 128,69,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCREOH* 42,93,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 145,1,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 567,109,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWREPTED 22,164,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,168,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOPADD 31,575,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOPADD 33,63,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOPADD 32(Suppl. 2),71,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 544,243,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 659,93,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 544,313,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHTOPA* 1,701,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,247,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 681,93,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWFCTOD7 46,813,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 674,3,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 674,31,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 674,73,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 667,82,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWBLREV* 3,71,1989
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAEXHE* -,407,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAEXHE* -,123,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAEXHE* -,133,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWDERCL* 25,215,2007
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNEUCL* 15,711,1997
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNEUCL* 23,377,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,617,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,629,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,689,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,695,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,711,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,737,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUTAEX 23,191,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 705,165,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 705,130,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 705,172,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 192,45,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWREPTED 31,327,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 705,11,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUTAEX 26,51,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWREPTED 31,363,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 714,105,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 728,88,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 746,104,2012
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWREPTED 35,165,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWEMMUEG 49,9,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUTAEX 27,257,2012
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 746,113,2012

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3DTLVS* 3,16,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypttime-weighted average 0.2 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.05 mg/m3, Carcinogen, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, Carcinogen, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.01 mg(As)/m3, carc, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.01 mg/m3, carc, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 0.01 mg/m3, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYceiling concentration 0.01 mg/m3, Skin, Carcinogen, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.01 mg(As)/m3, carc, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-INDIAtime-weighted average 0.2 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN1 carc, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.2 mg/m3, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.2 mg(As)/m3, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.05 mg(As)/m3, carcinogen, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 0.02 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0.01 mg/m3, JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 0.01 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 0.01 mg/m3, Carcinogen, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILANDtime-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 0.5 mg(As)/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, carc, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.5 mg(As)/m3CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 0.5 mg(As)/m3CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 0.5 mg(As)/m3CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-cancer hazardCFRGBR 29,1910.1018,1987

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO ARSENIC, INORGANIC-airCarcinogen ceiling concentration 0.002 mg(As)/m3/15MNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 07545; Number of Industries 19; Total Number of Facilities 1100; Number of Occupations 29; Total Number of Employees Exposed 27275; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 2128
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 07545; Number of Industries 8; Total Number of Facilities 328; Number of Occupations 18; Total Number of Employees Exposed 5929

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/2000/108021)
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Arsenic and compounds, as As except AsH3/As2O3, 7900
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Elements by ICP, 7300
NIOSH CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 14, 1976
NTP 11th Report on Carcinogens,2004:Known to be human carcinogen
On EPA IRIS database
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #ID-105

Follow NIOSH

NIOSH Homepage

TOP