Abstract

A REVIEW ON CHRONIC TOXICITY OF ARSENIC

Shipra Yadav* and Ritu Kapoor

Abstract

Arsenic is a grey material that cannot be absorbed via the digestive tract because it is soluble in water. Arsenic is absorbed via all routes, primarily through the skin, lungs, and GIT mucosa. By interacting with sulphydryl enzymes and interfering with cell metabolism, arsenic is poisonous. It locally irritates mucosal membranes while distantly depressing the neurological system. Arsenic exposure in humans generally comes through food, drink, and air. Natural mineral deposits, carelessly dumped arsenical compounds, or arsenical pesticides can all pollute drinking water with arsenic. As with cumulative poison (Dushi visha), the cellular harmful effects of arsenic toxicant accumulate with time. The Ayurvedic original text does not provide a remedy for persistent arsenic poisoning, however enema therapy followed by biopurification and symptom control may provide full recovery. Homicide, suicide, accident, workplace, environmental, iatrogenic, or uniatrogenic arsenic poisoning are all possible causes. The kind of post-mortem manifestations is greatly influenced by the amount consumed and the amount of time that has passed after death. According to post-mortem results, the corpse appears externally to be dehydrated, cyanosed, and jaundiced with sunken eyes. The duration of rigour mortis is very protracted. Internally, post-mortem observations included a red velvet stomach, petechial haemorrhages under the left ventricle's endocardium, patchy fatty degenerative alterations with jaundice in the liver, raindrop skin coloration, and mee's line in the nails.

Keywords: Arsenic, Post-mortem, Medico-legal, Poisoning, Toxicity.