Arsenic pentoxide, potassium arsenite, and the three sodium salts are soluble in ethanol. Arsenic, arsenic pentoxide, arsenic trioxide, the calcium arsenites, lead arsenate, and potassium arsenate are soluble in various acids. When heated to decomposition, arsenic compounds emit toxic arsenic fumes. Metallic arsenic was used in nonferrous alloys and in the electronics industry for semiconductor materials. Calcium arsenate is used as an insecticide on cotton and against certain soil insects, as an herbicide for treating turf and lawns to control weeds, and as a pesticide on fruits and vegetables.
Sodium arsenate is used in ant killers and in animal dips as an insecticide.
Sodium arsenite is used in low percentages in herbicides for ant control and weed control, for destroying trees and stumps, in animal dips, in pesticide baits, and for soil treatment against termites. Lead arsenate was originally a part of insecticide formulations, though this use is currently negligible. Formerly, disodium hydrogen arsenate was also used in this capacity. Potassium arsenite as Fowler's solution is a hematinic used as a temporary medication for the treatment of myelogenous leukemia and certain skin lesions. The use of Fowler's solution as a veterinary medicine is not generally deemed acceptable for widespread use.