Arsenic is a naturally occurring metal that can affect several organ systems of the body. It was approved by the FDA in 2000 for treating some forms of leukemia. The document outlines NIOSH sampling and analysis methods for measuring occupational exposure to arsenic, including required equipment and handling precautions. It also describes a situation where arsenic leaked into a local river from a tailings pond, contaminating wildlife and erosion river banks, prompting an investigation and community concerns.

1. Arsenic
Ruth Nicola Carr
CEOHS – Applied Occupational Hygiene
Win 2014 - Bruce Tester

2. Did You Know?
In 2000, the FDA
approved Arsenic as
a treatment for some
forms of leukemia

3. Arsenic – What is it?
Gray metal expelling an odor like garlic when heated
Well established carcinogenic
Naturally occurs in our environment
Arsenic combines with oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur
to form inorganic compounds
Can affect several organ systems; Dermal (Skin),
Gastrointestinal (Digestive), Hepatic (Liver),
Neurological (Nervous System), Respiratory (From
the Nose to the Lungs)

4. OELs specifics for Arsenic
According to the Alberta OH&S
Act, Regulation and Code, the
following requirements are
specified for determining the
Occupational Exposure Limits for
Arsenic
Unit 8 Hour OEL 15 Min
(Ceiling)
Limit
PPM - -
Mg/m3 0.01 -
f/cc - N/A

5. NIOSH Method Requirements
(NIOSH 7900)
 SAMPLING EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
 Use a cellulose ester filter; 0.8-µm pore size, 37-mm diameter and
contained in a cassette filter holder
 Personal sampling pump; 1 - 3 L/min, with flexible connecting tubing
 Atomic absorption spectrophotometer
 Hydrogen burner head or quartz tube furnace
 Arsenic hollow cathode lamp or EDL and arsine generation system.
 Two-stage regulators for air, hydrogen and argon
 Beakers; Phillips, 125-mL Phillips, or a 50-mL Griffin and ensure beaker
has a watchglass covers
 Volumetric flasks; 25- and 100-mL
 Volumetric Pipets (as needed).
 Hotplate with a surface temperature reading of 140 °C.

6. SAMPLING EQUIPMENT

7. NIOSH Method Requirements
Flow Rate & Volume of Arsenic:
 Flow Rate: 1 to 3 L/min
 Vol-Min: 30 L @ 0.002 mg/m3
 Vol-Max: 1000 L
Special Handling (may include):
 Clean all glassware with conc. nitric acid before use
 Rinse thoroughly with distilled or deionized water
 Arsenic is a recognized carcinogen. Handle appropriately
 Experiment all perchloric acid digestions in a perchloric acid
fume hood

8. Direct Reading Instrument Monitoring
 Manufacturer
 The beakers utilized for measuring samples taken are made by Phillips and
Griffin
 Range
 The working range is 0.00025 to 0.01 mg/m 3 for a 200-L air sample
 0.002 to 0.07 mg/m 3 for a 30-L air sample
 0.05 to 2.0 μg per sample
 Interferences
 Background absorption can be resolved by the use of D 2 or H2
continuum
 Limitations
 Sample at an accurately known flow rate between 1 and 3 L/min for a
total sample size of 30 to 1000 L
 Do not exceed ca. 2 mg total dust loading on the filter

9. Toolbox Talk – Arsenic leaked into South End
Tailings Pond
 An Industrial Occupational Hygienist has been called in to investigate
reports that Arsenic has been leaked into the local community river
possibly contaminating fish and bird life aswell as starting to erode the
edges of the river banks. Community residents have expressed concerns
and want the issue addressed.
 The procedure for sampling would be the Personal and Sample Train
Sampling method
 A sample will be collected from a worker carrying the sampling train
for a designated amount of time, for example the duration of an 8-
hour shift
 Firstly, calibrate each personal sampling pump with a representative
sampler in line.
 Sample at an accurately known flow rate between 1 and 3 L/min for a
total sample size of 30 to 1000 L. Do not exceed ca. 2 mg total dust
loading on the filter.

10. Toolbox Talk – Arsenic leaked into
South End Tailings Pond (cont.)
 SAMPLE PREPARATION & PLAN (including samples taken):
 Open cassette filter holders and transfer the samples and blanks to
clean beakers.
 Add 5 mL ashing acid and cover with a watchglass.
 Heat on hotplate (140 °C) until the solution is colorless.
 Add 1 mL conc. HNO 3 and/or 70% HClO 4 drop by drop as needed to
complete the ashing.
 Remove the watchglass.
 Heat on 140 °C hotplate until dense SO 3 fumes appear.
 Allow the mixture to cool.
 Transfer the solution quantitatively to a 25-mL volumetric flask.
 Dilute to volume with distilled or deionized water.

11. Toolbox Talk – Arsenic leaked into South End Tailings Pond (cont.)
 Potential Hazards/Risks associated with handling Arsenic samples:
 Acute exposures by ingestion may result in burning lips, throat constriction,
abdominal pain, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma, and
death.
 Irritation of the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes may result from inhalation
exposures.
 Chronic exposure to organic arsenic compounds could result in dermatitis, anemia,
leukocytopenia, or symptoms linked with forms of cancer
 Controls
– Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Eyes: Wear goggles
• Skin: Wear Tyvek suit to avoid absolute exposure on the skin. Wear either neoprene, butyl,
PVC, nitrile or Viton gloves over the tyvek suit. Wear over long pants and closed toed shoes.
• Respirators: Use a full-face Air Purifying respirator with organic vapor cartridges (black) with
a chin-style, front- or back-mounted acid gas canister having an N100, R100, or P100 filter,
which complies with NIOSH 7900, OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements
 Engineering Controls
• Arsenic should be handled in a fume hood or glove box

12. Arsenic Poses Concerns in Rice
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/
arsenic-rice-poses-potential-health-
concern-20187531

13. References
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-154/pdfs/7900.pdf
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=3
http://www.softschools.com/facts/periodic_table/arsenic_facts/2
09/
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/81-123/pdfs/0038.pdf
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/semiconductors/solutions/arsenic.ht
ml
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/nengapdxe.html