What is arsine?
Arsine is a colorless, flammable gas that does not burn the eyes, nose, or throat. At high concentrations it has a garlic-like or fishy smell, but a person can be exposed to a hazardous concentration of arsine and may not be able to smell it. Arsine is widely used in the manufacturing of fiberoptic equipment and computer microchips. It is sometimes used in galvanizing, soldering, etching, and lead plating. Certain ores or metals may contain traces of arsenic. If water or acid contacts these ores or metals, they may release arsine gas at hazardous levels. What immediate health effects can result from arsine exposure? Breathing in arsine gas can be very harmful, even in small quantities. The main effect of arsine poisoning is to destroy red blood cells, causing anemia (lack of red blood cells) and kidney damage (from circulating red-blood-cell debris). Initially, exposed individuals may feel relatively well. Within hours after a serious exposure, the victim may develop headache, weakness
