Chemical Properties
Sodium arsenate heptahydrate is a poisonous solid/powdered solid/crystalline powder.
It is odorless with a saline taste. The aqueous solution is alkaline to litmus and decomposes
on heating at 100°C (212°F), rapidly becoming anhydrous. It is incompatible with
acids, iron, aluminum, and zinc in the presence of water, and strong reducing agents. It is
non-corrosive in the presence of glass. Sodium arsenate heptahydrate emits toxic fumes of
arsenic when heated to decomposition.
Health Hazard
Arsenic is highly toxic. Exposures through ingestion and inhalation cause adverse health
effects that include, but are not limited to, irritation with itching, burning, and conjunctiva
damage, photophobia, corneal injury, dimness of vision, diplopia, lacrimation, cold
and clammy skin, low blood pressure, weakness, headache, cramps, infl ammation of the
mucous membranes with cough and foamy sputum, restlessness, dyspnea, cyanosis, pulmonary
edema, burning in the esophagus, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea, damage to the
liver and kidneys, and death from circulatory failure.
Repeated exposures to sodium arsenate heptahydrate cause bronzing of the skin, edema,
dermatitis, and lesions. Repeated or prolonged inhalation of dust may cause damage to the nasal septum. Chronic exposure from inhalation or ingestion may cause hair and weight
loss, a garlic odor to the breath and perspiration, excessive salivation and perspiration, central
nervous system damage, hepatitis, gastrointestinal disturbances, and cardiovascular
damage.
Uses
Sodium hydrogen arsenate heptahydrate is used as a source of soluble arsenic and in dyeing and printing with Turkey-red oil. It also acts as a veterinary drug for anti-parasitic, skin diseases, blood diseases, rheumatism and asthma.
