Analytical Aspects with Brief Overview of Arsenic Poisoning

Arsenic belongs to the class of metallic poisons. Although arsenic in metal form is not poisonous, since it is not absorbed from the alimentary canal but when it is volatilized by heat, arsenic unites with oxygen and forms poisonous vapours of arsenic trioxide. The toxicity of arsenic or arsenic containing compounds depends on its valence state as well as its organic or inorganic form. Clinical features of arsenic poisoning along with differential diagnosis have been presented. The pre-hospital, hospital and post-hospital management as discussed will help in providing the proper care to the patient along with the specific treatment. The detection and determination of arsenic levels can be done qualitatively as well as quantitatively with help of UV-spectroscopy, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Voltammetry etc.

This review paper covers all the analytical techniques in great detail with few case reports cited from literature.