More importantly, pentavalent arsenic resembles inorganic phosphate and substitutes for phosphate in glycolytic and cellular respiration pathways. High-energy phosphate bonds are not made, and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation occurs. There were 399 arsenic-containing pesticide exposures with no deaths. The TESS data reported no mortalities in 1996. No pesticidal fatalities occurred in 1994.
Men are more likely to experience industrial exposure.
Arsenic exposure is usually suicidal, homicidal, or occupational. A careful work history on anyone with symptoms of a painful peripheral neuropathy will reveal the exposure. In trivalent arsenic poisoning, the clinical effects depend on the chronicity of the exposure. The acutely intoxicated patient will be in acute distress, often dehydrated and in hypovolemic shock. Chronic hepatic and renal damage is common with chronic exposure.