Arsenic

Inorganic arsenic is more harmful than organic arsenic. High levels of inorganic arsenic may damage nerves, the stomach and intestines, and skin. Lower levels of exposure to inorganic arsenic may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, blood vessel damage, and a "pins and needles" sensation in hands and feet. Long term exposure to inorganic arsenic may lead to a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small "corns" or "warts" on the palms, soles, and torso. Breathing inorganic arsenic increases the risk of lung cancer; ingesting it increases the risk of skin cancer and tumors of the bladder, kidney, liver, and lung.

Arsenic: P2 Options: Wood treatment

• Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling procedures.
• Use covered drip pads with liners.
• Recycle solvent wastes.
• Install a solvent distillation unit.
• Make sure wood stock is clean prior to treatment.
• Regularly inspect equipment for leaks.
• Inspect storage areas daily.

[Related links][References]

Arsenic: P2 Options: Computer and Electronics

• Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling procedures.
• Segregate waste streams.
• Segregate wastewater sludge by metal contaminants.
• Maintain equipment (pumps, seals, etc.) to prevent leaks.
• Sweep working area instead of hosing down.
• Find ways to reuse water in the process.

[References]

Arsenic: P2 Options: Metal Finishing

• Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and procedures.
• Segregate waste streams.
• Maintain equipment (pumps, seals, etc.) to prevent leaks.
• Sweep working area instead of hosing down.
• Find ways to reuse water in the process.
• Schedule batch processing so wastes or residue from one batch can be used as input to the next.
• Reduce dragout and spilling by reducing the speed of parts lifted from plating tanks.

[Related links][References]

Arsenic: P2 Options: Insecticides

• Consider non-toxic alternatives.
• Use pesticides according to instructions. Do not overuse.
• Keep spaces clean to deter insects.

[References]

Arsenic: P2 Options: Weed Killers

• Consider non-toxic alternatives.
• Xeriscape

[References]

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQs
http://atsdr1.atsdr.cdc.gov:8080/tfacts2.html

Arsenic Crisis information Resources
http://bicn.com/acic/sub1.htm#on-line

Environmental Protection Agency, Profile of the Lumber and Wood Products Industry,
http://es.epa.gov/oeca/sector/sectornote/pdf/lmbrwdsnpt2.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency, Profile of the Electronics and Computer Industry,
http://es.epa.gov/oeca/sector/sectornote/pdf/elecmpsnpt2.pdf

The Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Sciences, Inc., A Pollution Prevention Resource Manual for Metal Finishers: A Competitive Advantage Manual,
http://www.iams.org/p2irisde/metalfin.htm

Environmental Protection Agency, Profile of the Metal Fabrication Industry,
http://es.epa.gov/oeca/sector/sectornote/pdf/fabmetsnpt2.pdf

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, YardWise: A Green Guide to Yard Care,
ftp://ftp.tnrcc.state.tx.us/pub/ExecutiveDirector/
AgencyCommunications/topdoc/gi/028.pdf

Texas A&M Water Resource Institute, Texas Water Resources newsletter (Vol. 17, No. 2: Summer, 1991),
http://twri.tamu.edu/twripubs/WtrResrc/v17n2/text-1.html

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