What Is The Toxicity Of Arsenic Tribromide?

Arsenic tribromide is a highly toxic and corrosive chemical compound composed of one arsenic atom and three bromine atoms (AsBr3). It is a colorless to yellowish-brown liquid with a pungent odor that can cause severe health effects if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin.

The toxicity of arsenic tribromide is primarily due to its ability to release highly reactive and poisonous arsenic compounds upon contact with water or moisture. These compounds can interfere with cellular metabolism, inhibit enzymes, and cause oxidative stress, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death.

Symptoms of acute arsenic tribromide poisoning include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, muscle weakness, convulsions, respiratory distress, and cardiac arrest. Chronic exposure may lead to skin lesions, peripheral neuropathy, anemia, and an increased risk of cancer.

Arsenic tribromide should be handled with extreme caution in a well-ventilated area, using appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and respirators. It should only be used by trained professionals in a laboratory setting, and any spills or accidents should be immediately reported and treated according to established safety procedures. Due to its high toxicity, arsenic tribromide is not commonly used in industry or research, and safer alternatives are preferred where possible.