What Is Arsenic Used For

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element with a variety of uses in industry, agriculture, and medicine. Here are some of the ways arsenic is used:

1. Wood preservatives: Arsenic compounds, such as chromated copper arsenate (CCA), have been widely used to treat wood to protect it from decay and insects.

2. Pesticides: Arsenic-based pesticides were once commonly used in agriculture to control pests on crops like cotton, fruit trees, and tobacco.

3. Semi-conductor manufacturing: Arsenic is used in the production of certain types of semiconductors and solar cells.

4. Medicine: Arsenic trioxide has been used as a cancer treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and is also used to treat other medical conditions like syphilis and psoriasis.

5. Metal alloys: Arsenic is sometimes added to lead and copper alloys to improve their strength and resistance to corrosion.

6. Animal feed additives: In some countries, arsenic-containing compounds are still used as animal feed additives to promote growth and prevent disease.

While arsenic does have some useful applications, it is also highly toxic and exposure to high levels of arsenic can cause serious health problems, including skin lesions, cancer, and death. Therefore, its use is heavily regulated and controlled in many countries, particularly in consumer products and food.