Arsenic health monitoring

Arsenic (CAS 7440-38-2) is a widely distributed element found as part of the natural environment. It occurs in trace quantities in rock, soil, water and air. It is a common contaminant in most mineral ores.

Arsenic is found in a variety of work settings, such as smelting of non-ferrous metals, arsenic refining and production, use of arsenic-containing insecticides and the manufacture of semiconductors

Examples of work activities involving inorganic arsenic that require special attention when assessing exposure include:

• manufacture of arsenic compounds, the most important being the trioxide (As2O3)
• formulation and application of:
  • insecticides (lead arsenate, calcium arsenate, arsenic trioxide and pentoxide)
  • weed killers
  • rat poison
  • wood preservatives like copper chrome arsenic (arsenic pentoxide); in the past used as cattle dip (arsenic trioxide) and sheep dip (sodium arsenite)
• production of pigments (arsenic trisulfide and trioxide), ceramic enamels and anti-fouling paints (arsenic trioxide)
• hide preservation in the leather industry (arsenic trioxide)
• hardening copper, lead and other alloys
• copper, zinc and lead smelting

This guide provides information for those registered medical practitioners engaged by a PCBU to carry out or supervise health monitoring for workers. This guidance should be read in conjunction with the following:

• Health monitoring guide for registered medical practitioners
• Health monitoring guides for hazardous chemicals
• Health monitoring guide for workers
• Health monitoring guide for persons conducting business or undertakings (PCBUs)