Can cause irritating redness and blisters. Arsenic trioxide can be absorbed through the skin, and can induce above symptoms. May cause irritation. Occupational exposure to arsenic dust by inhalation has been associated with lung cancer in arsenic smelter workers. Arsenic ingestion has been linked to skin, liver, bladder, and lung cancer.
Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to any cancer-causing agent.
Prolonged arsenic exposure can cause weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, irritation and inflammation of the eyes, nose, and throat, destruction of nasal tissues, excess itching, thickening and discoloration of the skin, especially on the hands and feet, and paralysis of the hands and feet. Sodium arsenate has been shown to cause birth defects in animals. It and other arsenic compounds should be considered to have the potential to do so in humans. This fact sheet summarizes information about this chemical, and is not a comprehensive listing of potential effects. For more information, please refer to applicable guidelines and scientific literature.