What type of substance is it?
Arsenic is a chemical element which occurs naturally in the earth's crust and has partly-metallic and partly non-metallic properties. It can have a detrimental impact on wildlife and habitats. Arsenic and some of its compounds may cause cancer and genetic damage. The Environment Agency aims to ensure that there is no appreciable risk of these effects from environmental exposures.
How is it released?
In the UK, major man-made releases of arsenic are predominantly from the burning of coal in power stations. Emissions of arsenic have declined significantly over the past 20 years due to the decline in coal use. Since arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the earth's crust it is found in soils, sediments and natural waters, generally at low concentrations.
Detailed information
Scientific name:
Arsenic, As
Other names:
Metallic arsenic, grey arsenic, arsenic black, arsenicals, colloidal arsenic
CAS Number:
7440-38-2
Arsenic is usually found combined with one or more other elements such as oxygen, chlorine and sulphur. The inorganic arsenic compounds (arsenates, arsenic trioxide etc) tend to be more toxic than the organic forms. Inorganic arsenic compounds are usually solids at environmental temperatures, of low volatility and variable solubility in water.
Arsenic is used in the manufacture of wood preservatives, agricultural products (including pesticides), glass and non-ferrous alloys. It is also used in bronzing and pyrotechnics. The most important compounds are white arsenic, the sulphide Paris green, Calcium arsenate and lead arsenate - the last three have been used as agricultural insecticides.
Pure arsenic is a grey-coloured metal but is rare in the environment. It has a crystalline, metallic-looking appearance and is odourless. It is sometimes referred to as a metalloid because it displays characteristics of both metallic and non-metallic elements. Arsenic and its various compounds can occur in crystalline, powder, amorphous or vitreous forms.
Where is it released?
Internationally, major man-made arsenic releases are produced primarily as a by-product from the operation of copper, zinc and lead smelters. In the UK, the largest source of emissions is from the combustion of coal. The most abundant natural form of arsenic-containing mineral is arsenopyrite (FeAsS). Arsenic compounds are naturally present in the environment at low levels.
Local environmental effects
Arsenic is toxic to wildlife, persisting in the environment and accumulating in living organisms. Human populations relying on surface or groundwater near geological or man-made sources of arsenic may receive higher than typical exposures. In the past, there have been serious releases of arsenic into the water supply from groundwater extraction due to natural deposits of arsenic, and from industry release of arsenic, causing widespread poisoning. Drainage water from mines (including disused mines) can be a significant source of metal pollution, including arsenic.
Global environmental effects
No significant global impacts are considered likely.
Possible health concerns
Arsenic and some of its compounds may cause cancer and genetic damage. The Environment Agency aims to ensure that there is no appreciable risk of these effects from environmental exposures. Excessive exposures may affect the blood, blood vessels, brain, digestive system, lung, peripheral nerve and skin. The Environment Agency aims to ensure that environmental exposures are too low to cause such effects.
Legislation
Why was this substance selected for the Pollution Inventory?
For air releases included in : European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER) reporting requirements; Heavy metals of Agency concern & included under Annex 1 of the European Union IPPC Directive. For water releases included in : European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER) reporting requirements; UK Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations reporting requirements.
Standard risk phrases for the pure substance
The standard risk phrases provided here are generally those used by suppliers of chemicals to describe substances - for example on packaging materials. The most important source of these phrases are the CHIP Regulations - Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) - provided by the Health and Safety Executive. Some substances do not have CHIP risk phrases and in these circumstances we have used other risk phrases, the sources of which are indicated.
CHIP Phrase(s) : T: Toxic; R23/25: Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
Controlling legislation and international agreements
The UK legislation implementing the EC Directive on releases to water are the Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations, 1997 (SI 1997/2560). The European legislation relevant to its release to water is EC Directive 76/464: ?Pollution of the aquatic environment by dangerous substances? (plus daughter directives). Legislation relevant to its use and sale comes under EC Directive 76/769/EEC 'Restriction on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances'. In terms of international agreements, Arsenic is covered by the 'Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal'. It is also listed as a candidate substance for selection, assessment and prioritisation under the OSPAR and Helsinki Conventions.
These factsheets have been compiled to provide users with information on the Pollution Inventory substances and represent our best efforts to summarise a large number of disparate and sometimes conflicting data sources. We emphasise that this information describes potential hazards rather than actual effects and that the Environment Agency seeks to regulate releases to minimise emissions and hence any risk of detrimental effects occurring.
